Rocket Lab inaugurates LC-3 at Wallops

Date:
Sat, 30 Aug 2025 04:38:05 +0000

Description:
Rocket Lab has inaugurated Launch Complex 3 (LC-3) for its Neutron rocket, which is set The post Rocket Lab inaugurates LC-3 at Wallops appeared first
on NASASpaceFlight.com .

FULL STORY ======================================================================

Rocket Lab has inaugurated Launch Complex 3 (LC-3) for its Neutron rocket, which is set to launch from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, Virginia.

Neutron represents a pivotal advancement in the companys shift from
small-lift to medium-lift launch services and fully realizes its goal of full reusability.

This new facility, built at Pad 0D within NASAs Wallops Flight Facility, is Rocket Labs fourth launch site overall and is specifically engineered for the reusable Neutron rocket, next door to the companys current Electron launcher.

LC-3 is a robust installation designed for high-cadence operations, constructed with concrete and steel in Rocket Labs signature red, black, and gray color scheme.

The launch mount, comprising approximately 700 tons of steel with extensive concrete reinforcements, is built to handle Neutrons larger size and thrust compared to the Electron rocket, which has launched from nearby Pad 0A since 2019. Initial rocket integration will rely on cranes to position the vehicle on the pad, as this is the facilitys first iteration. Future upgrades,
already planned, include dedicated infrastructure for on-site lifting and integration, doubled propellant storage (for liquid methane and oxygen), and additional systems to support rapid turnaround timesaiming for reusability
and frequent missions.

An impressive feature of the new pad is the advanced water deluge system, which suppresses flames, heat, and acoustic energy during launches. During
the ceremony, Beck activated it with a button press, although the wind direction might not have been taken into account, as it drenched the attendees. The pad was completed in under two years by a Virginia-based team of over 60 engineers. Aerial imagery from recent updates shows the site with
a prominent water tower, propellant tanks, lightning towers, and the launch mount adjacent to marshlands and the Atlantic Ocean.

The Neutron is Rocket Labs first reusable medium-lift vehicle, standing 141 feet (43 meters) talltaller than its initial design of 130 feetand capable of delivering up to 28,660 pounds (13,000 kilograms) to low Earth orbit (LEO).
It features a unique Hungry Hippo fairing on the first stage that opens to deploy the second stage, which is housed inside for streamlined aerodynamics. The first stage is powered by nine Archimedes engines (up from an original seven), while the second stage uses one vacuum-optimized Archimedes engine.

Both stages use liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid methane as propellants, enabling reusabilitythe first stage can land on land or a sea barge named Return On Investment.

The decision to use the barge was one of Becks hat-eating moments after previously noting a desire to avoid this method following his claim that I
can tell you 100% in full honesty,marine assets suck on an NSF live show.



Primarily targeted at satellite constellation deployments, Neutrons versatility extends to interplanetary missions, such as to Venus or Mars, and potentially crewed flights in the future. A future goal of crewed flights was Becks main hat-eating moment in the announcement video.

A fully assembled first stage has not been publicly unveiled, but development is progressing rapidly, with hardware testing expected soon at LC-3. Engine testing milestones have been heavily promoted by Rocket Lab over recent months. Rocket Lab aims for Neutrons maiden flight by the end of 2025, a timeline echoed by Governor Youngkin, who noted during the ceremony, Before the end of this year, we will all gather and we will watch the first Neutron rocket lift off from Pad 0D right here together. If its on Christmas Day, Ill bring the gifts.

This would make it the first rocket under the U.S. Space Forces National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program from Wallops Island. Post-debut, the cadence ramps up: one test flight in 2025, three missions in 2026, five in 2027, and up to seven annually thereafter.

Development milestones include recent partnerships, such as with the U.S. Air Force for a 2026 mission testing point-to-point cargo delivery. A
confidential commercial satellite constellation customer has booked two launches from 2026.

The opening featured a live broadcast, oversized scissors for the ribbon-cutting by Youngkin, and the deluge system test. Beck described LC-3
as a really, really smart pad a living, breathing, functioning machine, highlighting its integrated systems for resilient space access.



Economically, the project is set to create 250+ jobs in Accomack County,
boost tourism, and enhance Virginias aerospace sector through investments in infrastructure.

Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears called it a bold declaration that Virginia is
not only participating in the aerospace revolution, but leading it.

(Lead image: Rocket Labs new pad at Wallops. Credit: Rocket Lab))



The post Rocket Lab inaugurates LC-3 at Wallops appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com .



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Link to news story: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2025/08/rocket-lab-inaugurates-lc-3-wallops/


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