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Aviation · head to head

DUATS vs Rocket Lab Mission Software

DUATS logo

DUATS

Aviation

FAA Direct User Access Terminal System for flight briefings

From
$9.95/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rocket Lab Mission Software logo

Rocket Lab Mission Software

Aviation

End-to-end space mission management platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • They diverge on capability: DUATS covers Flight briefings, Rocket Lab Mission Software covers Mission planning.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DUATS and Rocket Lab Mission Software actually diverge.

Attributes where DUATS and Rocket Lab Mission Software differ
AttributeDUATSRocket Lab Mission Software
Starting price$9.95/monthOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionusage-based
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Windows
Founded19902006

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Aviation).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in DUATS

  • Flight briefings
  • Weather data
  • Flight planning
  • Flight filing
  • NOTAMs
  • FAA systems
  • Weather services
  • Chart databases

Only in Rocket Lab Mission Software

  • Mission planning
  • Launch integration
  • Satellite operations
  • Ground segment
  • Data management
  • Ground stations
  • Tracking networks
  • Space agencies

Both cover

  • Data encryption
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

DUATS

  • Flight briefingnot Rocket Lab Mission Software
  • Flight planningnot Rocket Lab Mission Software
  • Flight filingnot Rocket Lab Mission Software
  • Weather briefingnot Rocket Lab Mission Software

Rocket Lab Mission Software

  • Satellite launchnot DUATS
  • Mission operationsnot DUATS
  • Constellation managementnot DUATS
  • Space programsnot DUATS
  • Defense missionsnot DUATS

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

DUATS

  • Service has been discontinued as of May 2018
  • No longer available for flight planning or briefing

Rocket Lab Mission Software

Nothing recorded yet. See the Rocket Lab Mission Software review.

Pricing, plan by plan

DUATS

$9.95/month
  • Basic$9.95/month
    • Flight briefings
    • Weather data
    • Flight planning
  • Premium$29.95/month
    • All Basic features
    • Advanced weather
    • Priority briefings

Rocket Lab Mission Software

On request
  • Mission ServicesFree
    • Mission planning
    • Launch integration
    • Ground support

Which should you pick?

Choose DUATS if

  • You need flight briefings.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want weather data.
DUATS review

Choose Rocket Lab Mission Software if

  • You need mission planning.
  • You work on Web, Windows.
  • You also want launch integration.
Rocket Lab Mission Software review

Questions people ask

Is DUATS or Rocket Lab Mission Software better?
Neither clearly leads. DUATS starts at $9.95/month and Rocket Lab Mission Software at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DUATS or Rocket Lab Mission Software?
DUATS starts at $9.95/month and Rocket Lab Mission Software at On request.
Does DUATS or Rocket Lab Mission Software run on more platforms?
DUATS runs on Web, Ios, Android. Rocket Lab Mission Software runs on Web, Windows.
What is DUATS best used for?
DUATS is most often used for flight briefing, flight planning, flight filing, weather briefing. Of those, flight briefing and flight planning are not what Rocket Lab Mission Software is typically brought in for.
What can DUATS do that Rocket Lab Mission Software cannot?
DUATS covers Flight briefings, Weather data, Flight planning, Flight filing. Rocket Lab Mission Software covers Mission planning, Launch integration, Satellite operations, Ground segment. Both handle Data encryption, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

DUATS: Is DUATS still available?

No. The FAA discontinued the Direct User Access Terminal Service (DUATS II) on May 16, 2018.

Source
DUATS: Did DUATS cost money?

No. DUATS was free to all registered U.S. pilots and student pilots holding a current medical certificate.

Source
DUATS: What replaced DUATS?

Pilots now access internet-based weather, aeronautical information, and flight plan filing through the FAA flight service website at no charge.

Source
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