Rocket Lab breaks ground on Neutron production complex in Wallops, Virginia

Launch and space systems company Rocket Lab USA Inc. broke ground on the construction of a state-of-the-art rocket production complex where the company’s Neutron launch vehicle will be manufactured.

The 250,000ft² Neutron Production Complex is being constructed on a 28-acre site adjacent to the NASA Wallops Flight Facility and Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The complex will support Neutron production, assembly, and integration, and is expected to bring up to 250 highly skilled roles to the region. Construction will also soon begin on a launch pad for Neutron at the southern end of Wallops Island, near Rocket Lab’s existing launch pad for the Electron rocket.

“Neutron is a next generation rocket designed to serve the needs of the civil, commercial, and national security space markets and we’re proud to be delivering that capability from right here in Virginia,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. “Today, we take a major step toward resilient and assured access to space for the nation – a capability that has become increasingly urgent in recent times. We are grateful for the continued support of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Accomack County for its enthusiasm in helping to establish Rocket Lab and Neutron on the Eastern Shore.”

Rocket Lab selected Virginia as the location of its Neutron production complex and launch site due to the location’s ability to support frequent launch opportunities, as well as continued support from Commonwealth of Virginia. Through the development of Launch Complex 2 for Electron and now the Neutron program, Rocket Lab has built a solid partnership with Virginia with support from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership working alongside Accomack County, the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (Virginia Space), and the General Assembly’s Major Employment and Investment (MEI) Project Approval Commission. As part of the Commonwealth’s support for the Neutron program, $30 million has been set aside for infrastructure and operational systems improvements to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, along with $15 million from the MEI Project Approval Commission in site improvements and building construction in support of Neutron.

Neutron is Rocket Lab’s medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle in development to launch payloads to low Earth orbit and beyond. With a 7m fairing and a payload lift capacity of 13 tonnes in a downrange landing configuration, Neutron is for constellation deployment and large single spacecraft missions.

Neutron’s design uses a specially formulated carbon composite material that’s lightweight, strong, and can withstand the immense heat and forces of launch and re-entry to enable frequent re-flight of the first stage.