🚀 Neutron | 🛰 AFRL REGAL Experiment
Launch date: January 1, 2026 00:00 UTC
Payload: AFRL REGAL Experiment
Location: LC-3, Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia
Vehicle: Neutron
Rocket Lab and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) are partnering for a landmark mission using the Neutron rocket to conduct a Rocket Cargo survivability experiment under the REGAL initiative. Scheduled for no earlier than 2026 from LC-3 at Wallops, the demonstration will test Neutron’s reentry and rapid point-to-point cargo delivery capabilities. This partially reusable mission aims to provide vital data for U.S. military logistics and supports national security rapid response scenarios, with a potential debut later in 2025. Neutron’s development continues to move quickly, with its reusability and medium-lift profile making it a key contender for both government and commercial launches. For more insights, refer to Rocket Lab’s official press release and recent industry news.
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LC-3, Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), Wallops Island, Virginia, USA
LC-3, located within the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, Virginia, is a dedicated launch pad constructed for Rocket Lab’s Neutron rocket. Announced in 2021, this pad marks Rocket Lab’s first U.S.-based launch complex for Neutron, supporting the company’s ambitions in medium-lift commercial spaceflight alongside their established Electron small-lift platform. Operated and managed by Virginia Space, LC-3 leverages Wallops Island’s strategic position on the U.S. East Coast, providing access to a wide range of orbital inclinations.
The development of LC-3 is a significant milestone for both Rocket Lab and MARS, expanding the site’s capabilities and increasing the region’s prominence in the commercial launch sector. The facility includes advanced infrastructure tailored to Neutron’s reusable design and rapid-launch requirements, underscoring the growing demand for flexible, high-frequency launch operations from U.S. spaceports.