The deal is worth $40 million in cash, plus up to $20 million in stock earnouts, and includes Motiv's product assets and Pasadena, California manufacturing facilities.
Rocket Lab said the acquisition adds Mars-proven robotics, motion control and precision mechanism capabilities for planetary and national security missions, helping close a remaining gap in its vertical integration strategy.
Motiv technology has been used on NASA's Mars Perseverance rover and CADRE lunar rovers. After the expected second-quarter close, the business will be rebranded Rocket Lab Robotics.
As Rocket Lab acquires Mars rover technology, is it becoming a true one-stop shop for space missions?
With in-house robotics, can Rocket Lab now dominate the booming market for repairing and refueling satellites in orbit?