Long Beach, Calif. August 28, 2025: Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today celebrated the official opening of Launch Complex 3, its dedicated test, launch, and landing facility for its reusable rocket Neutron - representing a bold step forward in delivering an alternative, reliable, and responsive launch capability from U.S. soil with its next-generation challenger to the medium-lift launch industry.
Located within the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s (VSA) Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at Pad 0D on Wallops Island, Virginia, Launch Complex 3 stands ready to deliver the largest orbital launch capacity in the Spaceport’s history with Neutron: Rocket Lab’s reusable launch vehicle capable of launching 13,000kg (33,000 pounds) to space for commercial constellations, national security and interplanetary missions, and eventually human spaceflight.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “Launch Complex 3 is our commitment to providing assured access to space and the launch site diversity that’s needed in the United States for its most important missions. Our Neutron rocket, with its ability for responsive space access as a high cadence reusable launch vehicle, expands Virginia’s aerospace capabilities to enable the United States to quickly and reliably reach the International Space Station and low Earth orbit, as well as explore beyond Earth and on to the Moon and Mars. Together with the Commonwealth of Virginia, VSA, and NASA, we’re strengthening the nation’s leadership in space while creating new opportunities for innovation and growth in the state and beyond, and I’m thankful for their continued support of Rocket Lab in Virginia.”
Rocket Lab Vice President – Neutron, Shaun D’Mello, says: “Launch Complex 3 is an incredibly complex engineering feat that serves as a monument to exquisite design, streamlined operations, and the competitive advantage of Rocket Lab’s speed and efficiency. That Launch Complex 3 was built and is now operational in less than two years of construction is down to the unwavering dedication from our Virginia-based team of 60+ highly skilled staff, and the continued support, investment, and commitment from our partners in the state of Virginia. I’m excited to bring a new launch capability to Wallops Island with Neutron ahead of its maiden flight from Launch Complex 3.”
About Launch Complex 3
Designed to support testing, launch, and return-to-Earth missions for Rocket Lab’s Neutron rocket, Launch Complex 3 plays a vital role in ensuring American leadership in space as a rapid response capable launch site. Construction on Launch Complex 3 began in late 2023, with the site operational and officially opened in August 2025. More than 60 contractors were involved in the site’s development to supply services, hardware, and materials – many of them Virginia-based local workers and companies. Domestically sourced infrastructure designed, tested, and operated by Rocket Lab includes:
- The site’s 9-m (~30 ft) tall launch mount containing 700+ tons of steel, operated by hydraulic mechanisms that support, hold, and subsequently release Neutron for test and launch operations;
- Launch equipment vaults housing electrical and controls equipment needed to operate the site’s ground systems and launch vehicle;
- 180,000 gallon LOX and LNG propellant farms that store and load Neutron with fuel and oxidizer for test and launch operations, alongside 45,000 gallons of stored liquid nitrogen in three vertical tanks;
- A 200,000+ gallon capacity water supply tower standing at 200+ ft tall.
Launch Complex 3 is Rocket Lab’s fourth launch site. Its completed construction in less than two years is the latest demonstration of the Company’s speed and expertise at delivering world-class launch facilities globally. Launch Complex 3 is located directly next to Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2, the Company’s exclusive-use orbital launch pad for its Electron launch vehicle - the world’s most frequently flown small orbital rocket – within the same spaceport, further strengthening the nation’s leadership in space while creating new opportunities for innovation and growth in Virginia and beyond.
About Neutron
Rocket Lab’s new reusable medium-lift rocket Neutron is a next-generation challenger to deliver a cost-effective, reliable, and responsive launch service for commercial and government missions. The advanced design of Neutron includes carbon composite for all of the rocket’s major structures and an innovative upper stage that enables high-performance for complex satellite deployments, including the deployment of satellite mega-constellations. The Neutron launch vehicle is a reusable launch vehicle leveraging the technology and infrastructure pioneered by the Electron launch vehicle, which has launched 70 times to date and provides the U.S. government and commercial customers frequent, affordable access to space. Neutron utilizes a unique design that brings the Stage 1 and payload fairings back to Earth as a single, integrated stage that maximizes cadence in a 13-ton to orbit reusable performance capability. Neutron is powered by nine Archimedes engines on Stage 1, and one vacuum-optimized Archimedes engine on Stage 2. Neutron operates from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 3 (LC-3) located at Wallops Island, Virginia from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS).
About Rocket Lab
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital rocket, the HASTE launch vehicle for hypersonic technology tests, a family of flight-proven spacecraft, and its new medium-lift launch vehicle Neutron. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Electron has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 200 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab spacecraft have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has four launch pads at two global locations, including two launch pads at its private orbital launch complex in New Zealand and dedicated launch sites for its Electron, HASTE, and Neutron rockets on Wallops Island, Virginia.
