Rocket Lab has commenced operations on its new testing facility at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi where it will develop and test the Archimedes reusable engine.
The aerospace manufacturer’s Archimedes Test Complex will see testing work on 165,000 pound-force of engines, which will be utilized for the production of its reusable Neutron launch vehicle, Rocket Lab said Friday.
The new testing center takes up a 1 million square foot area at the rocket testing facility. It is expected to complement the Neutron Production Complex and launch site, which are currently under construction at Wallops Island.
“Thanks to our partnership with NASA and the state of Mississippi, we can begin to develop the existing infrastructure and test stand at Stennis to fast-track Neutron’s first launch,” said Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and CEO.