Rocket Lab unveiled its new Launch Complex 3 at Wallops Island, Virginia, which will support testing and launches of its Neutron rocket, a medium-lift reusable vehicle aimed at both military and commercial missions. The rocket, expected to debut by the end of 2025, will be the largest ever to fly from the spaceport, according to DefenseNews. While Rocket Lab competes in a SpaceX-dominated market, CEO Peter Beck emphasized meeting market demand over direct rivalry. The company plans to launch multiple times in the next two years and aims for monthly flights. Neutron’s first mission will include a controlled splashdown, with future goals including full reusability and possibly crewed missions. They write:
As Rocket Lab prepares to roll out its new Neutron rocket as a fresh competitor for military and commercial missions, the firm on Thursday unveiled the launch complex from which the vehicle will fly – possibly by the end of the year.Housed within the Virginia Space Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Wallops Island, the facility, dubbed Launch Complex 3, will support testing, launch and return missions for the reusable rocket — the largest vehicle to ever fly from the spaceport. […]
The company sees Neutron as a contender to help ease the bottleneck in demand from both commercial and military customers for a ride to space. Today, that demand is in large part being met by a single provider in the medium-lift market, Elon Musk’s SpaceX. […]
Speaking Thursday during the Rocket Lab event, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said the state’s vision is for the launch facility to one day be “the most vibrant space industry complex in America.” […]
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