In its biggest U.S. infrastructure move yet, Rocket Lab has officially unveiled Launch Complex 3 (LC-3) at the Wallops Island Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) in Virginia—marking a pivotal step toward the inaugural launch of its next-generation medium-lift rocket, Neutron.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on August 28, the company was joined by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, Rocket Lab’s CEO Sir Peter Beck, and Vice President for Neutron, Shaun D’Mello. Beck described LC-3 as a symbol of assured access to space, noting that it will support responsive, high-cadence launches to low Earth orbit, and beyond—including missions to the ISS, the Moon, and Mars.
D’Mello emphasised the engineering feat behind LC-3: its streamlined construction in under two years was made possible by a dedicated Virginia-based team of more than 60 skilled professionals—a testament to Rocket Lab’s operational agility and design efficiency.
The complex features heavy-duty infrastructure tailored for Neutron’s launch and return operations, including a 9-metre-tall launch mount, extensive liquid oxygen (LOX) and LNG propellant farms (180,000 gallons), a 45,000-gallon liquid nitrogen system, and a 200,000-gallon water tower—equipped to support both launch pad testing and propulsive landings.
LC-3 is Rocket Lab’s fourth launch site, complementing its existing pad dedicated to Electron (Launch Complex 2) at Wallops. This co-location enhances operational flexibility and reinforces Rocket Lab’s leadership in U.S. space infrastructure.
The opening comes amid accelerated development of Neutron. Rocket Lab plans its first launch from LC-3 in the second half of 2025, with the facility now fully operational and ready for testing—signalling a major milestone in its journey toward deployment.
Beyond commercial applications, Neutron has already been selected to compete for top-tier Department of Defence national security missions under the U.S. Space Force’s $5.6 billion NSSL Phase 3 program. Its upcoming missions will also support point-to-point logistics experimentation with the U.S. Air Force.
Together, the Neutron rocket and LC-3 solidify Rocket Lab’s ambition to provide reusable, medium-lift launch capabilities from American soil. With this new infrastructure and a design pipeline in high gear—including the innovative Archimedes engine and ocean landing platform—Rocket Lab is positioning itself not just as a launch services provider, but as a full-spectrum space access leader.
