Rocket Lab's next-generation Neutron rocket has been selected for an experimental US Air Force mission to test the capabilities of rapid cargo delivery around the world, which is an important event for the company, which is moving deeper into the national security missile launch market. Mission, planned no earlier 2026 year, will be carried out as part of the "rocket cargo" program of the Air Force Research Laboratory (Affl), which investigates, how commercial launch vehicles could one day deliver materials anywhere on Earth within hours—a vision, similar to air transport logistics using spaceflight.
Rocket Lab announced the contract it received 8 May. Its value is not disclosed. The founder and CEO of the company is Peter Beck, speaking during the first quarter earnings conference call, characterized the initiative of the Air Force as such, which is still in its infancy. The cargo test will be a "survivability experiment". Expected, that Neutron will carry the payload, which will return to the Earth's atmosphere, demonstrating the rocket's ability to safely transport and deploy payloads. Beck noted, that the launch will be a "multi-manifest" mission with multiple payloads.
Behind Beck's words, Neutron launch vehicle, which is designed to launch cargo into low Earth orbit 13 000 Kg, planned for its first launch in 2025 year. The company reports, that the construction of a launch pad on Wallops Island, Virginia, and missile development are progressing according to plan.
The contract for the cargo experiment was signed after Rocket Lab was selected to participate in competitions for launches in the interests of national security. 27 In March, the Space Systems Command announced, that Rocket Lab and Stoke Space will have the right to compete with established players Blue Origin, SpaceX та United Launch Alliance (ULA) in the program of the National Security of Space Launches (NSSL) Phase 3, Line 1. This indefinite-volume/indefinite-delivery contract structure allows selected companies to bid for start-up services up to 2029 year, at the same time it is expected, that will be the least 30 missions - for a total amount of approx 5,6 billion dollars in task orders.
After joining the NSSL, Rocket Lab received an order for the amount 5 million dollars for initial mission assurance checks. Beck said, that the company has since held a kick-off meeting with key government stakeholders, including the US Space Force's Assured Space Access Division and the National Reconnaissance Office's Space Launch Division.
Source: https://spacenews.com/rocket-labs-neutron-tapped-for-u-s-military-cargo-test/