Rocket Lab Opens New Launch Pad for Neutron Rocket at Wallops

Aiming to expand its medium-lift satellite launch capabilities, Rocket Lab has established its first purpose-built reusable rocket launch site in the United States. The new pad, located at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, is now operational and may host its inaugural Neutron launch by the end of this year.

The Neutron rocket is Rocket Lab’s latest offering, designed to carry larger payloads into low Earth orbit (LEO). Standing at 141 feet (43 meters), it features a fully reusable first stage powered by nine Archimedes engines fueled with liquid methane and oxygen. The second stage is integrated inside the first—unconventional in design—allowing it to be ejected when the fairing opens, after which the first stage returns to Earth for a landing, either on land or on a sea barge.

The new launch pad, named Pad 0D, is constructed from steel and concrete, painted in Rocket Lab’s signature red, black, and gray. It’s equipped with advanced smart systems that allow the rocket to shed certain components at the pad, reflecting an innovative approach to launch infrastructure. The site also features a crane for initial launches, with plans to expand support for higher launch rates.

Neutron, a mid-sized launch vehicle, stands at 141 feet, with capabilities to lift over 28,660 pounds (13,000 kg) to LEO. It has a larger fairing of 17 feet (5 meters) to accommodate bigger satellites and is built with a lightweight carbon composite material.

Developed rapidly, Neutron now includes nine engines in its first stage—an increase from the original seven—and is capable of multiple re-flights. Its unique design includes deploying the second stage from within the first, creating a compact, efficient launch system. The rocket also features an Ocean-based landing platform, named “Return On Investment,” enabling land or sea landings to further reduce costs and increase turnaround speed.

Rocket Lab has already secured customers for Neutron, including the U.S. Air Force, which plans a test flight for point-to-point cargo delivery in 2026. The company projects a launch cadence of up to seven missions per year after initial testing and aims to establish Neutron as a key player in the commercial space industry.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, present at the opening, expressed enthusiasm about potential economic benefits, migration of tourism, and commercial activity to the region, forecasting the first launch by year’s end, possibly on Christmas Day.