{"id":"ff1693ad-11e0-4fa3-8f07-122411e50d33","name":"Motiv Space Systems","slug":"motiv-space-systems","description":"Motiv Space Systems was a Pasadena-based space robotics company founded in 2014, building robotic arms, motor controllers, and precision mechanisms for NASA, JPL, and commercial space missions. Its robotic arm powered NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, and its xLink modular arm set new standards for space-rated robotics. Motiv was acquired by [Rocket Lab](https://rocketlabcorp.com) in 2026 and rebranded as Rocket Lab Robotics.","status":"active","founded":2014,"hq":"Pasadena, CA","hqLat":34.1476507,"hqLng":-118.144155,"hqGeocodedAt":"2026-08-05T14:39:47.183Z","hqAddress":null,"hqPrecision":null,"website":"motivss.com","fundingTotal":null,"type":"hardware","roles":["robot_maker"],"reviewStatus":"reviewed","heatIndex":52,"lifecycleState":"active","supersededByCompanyId":null,"sources":[{"url":"https://motivss.com/","title":"Motiv Space Systems","date_accessed":"2026-06-23"},{"url":"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/motiv-space-systems-launches-xlink-the-highly-modular-cost-efficient-space-rated-robotic-arm-system-301063707.html","title":"Motiv launches xLink space-rated robotic arm","date_accessed":"2026-06-23"}],"keyFacts":[{"label":"Focus","value":"Designs and builds space-rated robotic arms, joints, and motor controllers for spacecraft and planetary missions."},{"label":"Robot","value":"Modular xLink arm slated to fly on NASA's OSAM-2 on-orbit assembly mission."},{"label":"Stage","value":"Private company."},{"label":"CEO","value":"Chris Thayer"},{"label":"Acquired by Rocket Lab","value":"May 2026 (announced)"},{"label":"Team size","value":"50 engineers and technicians"}],"aliases":[],"collisionRisk":"low","reviewNote":null,"atsProvider":null,"atsSlug":null,"factoryLocations":null,"manufacturingCapacity":null,"orgType":null,"burnSignal":null,"litigationEvents":null,"insurancePostureDisclosed":null,"unitEconomicsDisclosed":null,"tickerSymbol":null,"stockExchange":null,"secCik":null,"revenueUsd":null,"revenueBasis":null,"revenueAsOf":null,"employeeCount":50,"employeeCountBasis":"reported","employeeCountAsOf":null,"marketCapUsd":null,"marketCapAsOf":null,"marketCapSource":null,"createdAt":"2026-06-24T03:24:14.257Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-21T22:17:40.511Z","jsonLd":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Organization","@id":"https://registry.deploy.report/companies/motiv-space-systems","url":"https://registry.deploy.report/companies/motiv-space-systems","name":"Motiv Space Systems","description":"Motiv Space Systems was a Pasadena-based space robotics company founded in 2014, building robotic arms, motor controllers, and precision mechanisms for NASA, JPL, and commercial space missions. Its robotic arm powered NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, and its xLink modular arm set new standards for space-rated robotics. Motiv was acquired by [Rocket Lab](https://rocketlabcorp.com) in 2026 and rebranded as Rocket Lab Robotics.","identifier":"ff1693ad-11e0-4fa3-8f07-122411e50d33","foundingDate":"2014","address":"Pasadena, CA","publisher":{"@id":"https://deploy.report/#organization"}},"framework_metadata":{"framework_schema_version":"0.1.0","verification_status":"verified","maturity_stage":null,"lifecycle_state":null,"architectural_position":{"cohort":null,"sub_cohorts":[]},"within_cohort_verified_vs_claimed_pair":null,"cap_flags":[],"verification_depth":{"sources_count":2,"primary_source_types":[]}}}