Angeline Leishman
Rocket Lab will construct a complex for the rapid production, assembly, integration and launch of its next-generation, 8-ton payload class reusable rocket in Wallops Island, Virginia.
The launch service provider said Monday the 250,000-square-foot Neutron Production Complex will feature capabilities for manufacturing and refurbishing the Neutron rocket and managing its liftoff, landing and on-orbit operations.
The facilities and launch pad will be located within the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport and near the company’s launch pad for the Electron rocket and NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility.
According to Rocket Lab, it selected Wallops Island because of the Virginia government’s support, which includes $45 million in funding to enhance the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport.
Peter Beck, founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, said Wallops Island’s location in the eastern U.S. seaboard is suited to handle Neutron’s expected cadence of round trips to and from space.
Neutron is being developed to meet launch requirements for mega satellite constellations. Powered by Archimedes reusable rocket engines, the upcoming carbon composite large launch vehicle is expected to accommodate deep space exploration and other national security and defense missions as well as potentially human spaceflight.
Recently, the company received a $24 million contract from the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command in support of Neutron development.
