Rocket Lab opened the first launching site for the Neutron reusable missile in Virginia. This project, called the “Space Hippo”, is intended for the withdrawal of medium -sized satellites into orbit and must first take off by the end of 2025. The CEO of the company Peter Beck called this event a historical step for an affordable space in the United States.
The Neutron rocket of 43 meters can carry up to 13 tons of payload. Its first step with nine Archimedes engines on liquid methane and oxygen is reusable. The second step is thrown into space after the separation of the first, which is then returned to the ground.
The complex is located on the top of the 0D site of the NASA medium -Atlantic regional cosmodrome and includes modern systems for simplifying the design of the rocket. Nearby is another starting complex for Electron smaller missiles.
