On August 28, Rocket Lab officially opened a launch site designed for launches of its new Neutron rocket. The ceremony took place at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island off the coast of Virginia.
Reusable Neutron rocket
The Neutron rocket is a medium-class launch vehicle capable of delivering up to 13 tons of payload to low Earth orbit in a configuration with first-stage return. It has an innovative design, the main feature of which is that during launch, the second stage of the rocket will be “hidden” inside the first stage, equipped with an opening head fairing.
The idea is that upon reaching the desired stage of flight, the first stage of Neutron will open the fairing and release the second stage with the payload. After that, the first stage will close again and return to Earth, while the second stage will activate its engine and deliver the cargo to the desired orbit.
For the launch of the first stage of Neutron, Rocket Lab intends to draw on SpaceX’s experience and will use a modified 120-meter Return On Investment barge. It is currently undergoing refitting at Bollinger Shipyards in Louisiana.
Launch pad for Neutron
Unlike Electron rockets, which are mainly launched from New Zealand, Rocket Lab plans to launch Neutron from the United States. The company chose the MARS spaceport for this purpose. Construction of the launch complex began at the end of 2023 and required 700 tons of steel and 140 cubic meters of concrete.
On August 28, the company held a grand opening ceremony for the launch complex. Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck and other high-ranking officials took part in the event.
The launch pad for Neutron differs from similar designs in that it does not have a launch tower or a solid support. Instead, there is a stand on which the rocket will be mounted, with internal connections for loading fuel and consumables. A water flame deflector on the side of the structure facing the ocean will deflect exhaust gases away from the site.
“In true Rocket Lab style, the launch pad behind us is almost an architectural monument,” said Peter Beck. “Launch pads are usually square, ugly-looking structures, but I didn’t want that.”
However, this design is not solely based on aesthetic considerations. The Neutron launch pad is designed to minimize the cost and time required for repairs between launches. The platform is designed to be reconfigured and prepared for a new launch in just 24 hours, although the company does not plan to launch Neutron so frequently in the near future.
Rocket Lab has not yet announced a specific date for Neutron’s maiden launch. It is expected to take place in late 2025 or early 2026.
According to Spacenews
