In an official blog post, Rocket Lab announces its new partnership with the US Air Force for a Neutron re-entry mission.
This new partnership will test point-to-point cargo transportation for the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). It will help to serve as a building block for the US Air Force’s Rocket Experimentation for Global Agile Logistics (REGAL) program.
With this program, the US Air Force hopes to develop a rocket-based point-to-point transportation system that can deliver cargo worldwide using commercial launch providers like Rocket Lab.
This test mission will use the Rocket Lab Neutron rocket as the launch vehicle. During this test mission, Neutron will demonstrate its re-entry capabilities, which will be crucial for future US Air Force REGAL missions.
If this mission is successful, the US Air Force will develop a commercial launch solution for global defence logistics. Rocket Lab is confident that its Neutron rocket will perfectly execute this launch and re-entry for the progress of the entire mission.
Rocket Lab Expresses Confidence
Speaking on this partnership, Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab’s founder and CEO, expresses confidence in his firm’s Neutron space vessel. He says, “Neutron is a powerful new launch option that will set a new standard for performance, affordability, and reliability for government and commercial space users in medium launch.”
He adds that the partnership between his firm and the US Air Force “not only helps to advance space logistics, it also demonstrates a high degree of confidence by the DOD in Neutron’s capabilities.” With the space vessel’s inaugural flight drawing close, Rocket Lad is “excited to showcase Neutron as a platform for R&D for point-to-point logistics for the DoD.”
Work at Neutron’s launch pad on Wallops Island, Virginia, is nearing completion in preparation for this inaugural flight. The development of the rocket capable of deploying 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit (LEO) is also on track for launch later this year.
Required fields are marked *