Motiv Space Systems
"Building the future of space. Extending your reach."
US space robotics company in Pasadena, CA (now part of Rocket Lab) building flight-proven robotic arms, motor controllers, and mechanisms for NASA.
Motiv Space Systems, Inc., headquartered at 350 N Halstead St, Pasadena, California, was founded in March 2014 by Chris Thayer, Brett Lindenfeld, and Tom McCarthy, who spun the company out of MDA US Systems. The company designs and builds space-rated robotic arms, motor controllers, and precision mechanisms for NASA, JPL, and commercial new space customers. Its flagship products include the xLink modular robotic arm — a scalable, multi-degree-of-freedom system designed for on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) — and the ModuLink system for satellite payload handling.
Motiv's motor controllers support applications from latch-releases to full robotic systems. The primary robotic arm on NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover was built by Motiv. The company also supported the OSAM-2 mission (xLink arm for on-orbit solar array manufacturing), and the CADRE lunar rover program.
In May 2026, Rocket Lab completed the acquisition of Motiv Space Systems and rebranded it as Rocket Lab Robotics.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
xLink Robotic Arm
Modular, scalable space-rated robotic arm by Motiv Space Systems, designed for on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) missions.
ModuLink
Space-rated modular robotic system by Motiv designed for retrieving and delivering payloads, repairing satellite parts, and supporting on-orbit asset management.
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Contact Motiv Space Systems
WEBSITE
https://motivss.comPHONE
+1 626-737-5988HEADQUARTERS
United States
Company Facts
Founded
2014
Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
-
Primary Region
North America
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
-
Funding Total
-
