Rocket Lab Announces New Launch Site at NASA's Wallops Flight Installation

Groundbreaking Ceremonies for Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Photo credit: Patrick Black / NASA

While still striving to put the payload of the first paying customer into orbit, California's commercial space company Rocket Lab has made progress in strengthening its presence.

On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, Rocket Lab announced that the company would start operating from a new site – the NASA Wallops Flight Facility located in Virginia. It's in Wallops that Rocket Lab is hoping to launch its Electron rocket. The company currently flies the rocket from its facilities in New Zealand. Both their Atea-1 and Electron vehicles took off from sites in New Zealand.

Rocket Lab has presented an aggressive plan for its new launch platform. The company said it was targeting the third quarter of next year (2019) for its first flight from Wallops.

"Access to space must be simple, transparent, and responsive to our customers' missions – from idea to orbit. The launch from a second platform reinforces Rocket Lab's ability to offer the small satellite industry an unparalleled schedule and launch location flexibility, "said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter. "After proving that the Electron vehicle was successfully launched this year, we are excited to expand our ability to provide fast, reliable and affordable in-orbit access for small satellites."

Rocket Lab's Electron Rocket goes into space at its inaugural launch on May 25, 2017 from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. Image credit: Rocket Lab

By adding Launch Complex 2 to the sites where it operates, Rocket Lab said its real estate ambitions did not end in Wallops. Other sites around the world are under study. Wallops has been operating in four other launch sites to meet the needs of those looking to launch small payloads into space. Other potential candidates were Cape Canaveral Air Force Base (Florida), Wallops, the Pacific Spatial Ports Complex (Alaska) and Vandenberg Air Force Base (California).

"Wallops has over 70 years of experience in supporting missions using suborbital orbital and small and medium-sized orbital launchers. We are looking forward, with our partner Virginia Space and Mid-Atlantic Regional Space Center, to support Rocket Lab's Electron missions and expand commercial launch operations from Wallops, "said Bill Wrobel, Director Wallops flight.

Rocket Lab said it should be able to launch 120 times a year from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, which it calls "the only private launch site in the world." With the announcement of Launch Complex 2, Rocket Lab plans to have the capability to send payloads into orbit on a monthly basis for both commercial companies and the US government. If these projections materialize, Rocket Lab should be able to make 130 launches a year.

It is hoped that having multiple sites from which to operate will provide Rocket Lab with increased flexibility and capacity.

With the announcements made, the real work is about to begin. Virginia Space, the state's aerospace development arm, and Rocket Lab, will now work to prepare the site for support to launch operations. In this case, Electron. As spectacular as these flights are, they require hard work that the general public rarely sees.

"We have worked closely with the experienced and welcoming teams at Virginia Space and Wallops Regional Midport to design a platform and processes that will allow for an agile and streamlined approach to launching small satellites onto US soil," he said. Beck said.

Before Electron could be launched from Virginia, a new launch vehicle integration and assembly facility located at Wallops Research Park. It must be able to support the assembly of four electron rockets – at the same time. Of course, without a control room, professional launches would not be possible. This will require installing one of these, as well as facilities to help launchers reach their goals. In addition to all this, there are a whole series of other essential requirements to support a launch.

"We are honored to be the choice of Rocket Lab for Launch Complex 2," said Dale Nash, CEO and Executive Director of Virginia Space. "There is an incredible synergy between Virginia Space and Rocket Lab and we are proud to support their missions launched from American soil. We would like to thank Rocket Lab for their trust in our team. Virginia Space and MARS employees stand ready to do everything in their power to ensure the success, safety and punctuality of Rocket Lab's launch missions, as we do for all Spaceport customers. "

Tagged: Electron launching complex 2 NASA lead stories Rocket Lab Flight Facility Virginia Space Wallops

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Jason Rhian

Jason Rhian spent several years honing his skills doing internships with NASA, the National Space Society and other organizations. He has provided content to sites such as: Aviation Week & Space Technology, Space.com, The Mars Society and Universe Today.