BY JANET BERNOSKY, Eastern Shore Post
Rocket Lab USA, Inc., is prepared to win the space race with its first Neutron rocket launch from the Wallops Flight Facility scheduled in the next year, according to Jennifer Goodrum, the company’s Director of State and Local Operations.
Goodrum provided a mission update in a presentation before the Accomack County Board of Supervisors at its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, seeking its continued support for plans for infrastructure needed to bring this to fruition.
The Electron rockets the company currently launches from Wallops are roughly a bit larger than a school bus, she said, whereas a Neutron rocket is much larger, at 140 feet long and 25 feet in diameter.
Rocket Lab has been exploring various options for bringing the large components for the neutron rocket to Wallops, where it will be built.
It has all but ruled out transport from Queens Sound on the Chincoteague causeway due to logistical challenges, Goodrum said.
The best option, she said, remains to refurbish a dock at the facility, which will also require dredging.
A beach landing still remains a backup plan, according to Goodrum.
However, issues associated with transporting large rocket parts across sand need to be resolved.
This method also has challenges associated with the weather and the nesting of protected species.
A Neutron rocket has 40 times the payload capacity of an eEectron rocket and is capable of both sub-orbital and orbital launches.
These rockets also have the ability to launch complete constellations, which are groups of satellites that work together, capable of providing continuous coverage by literally surrounding the globe.
The rockets are designed to be fully renewable by being retrieved and refurbished after a completed mission, Goodrum added.
Rocket Lab will continue to launch its Electron rockets from Wallops.
“Everything that goes to space should have a Rocket Lab logo on it,” Goodrum said.
