Governor Glenn Youngkin cutting the ribbon on Virginia’s newest rocket launch pad on Wallops Island with Virginia and Rocket Lab leadership on August 28, 2025. Official Photo by Kaitlyn DeHarde, Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Virginia’s Eastern Shore is now home to a groundbreaking addition to the nation’s space infrastructure: Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 3 (LC-3), located at Pad 0-D within the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS).
This state-of-the-art facility will serve as the world’s first launch site for Rocket Lab’s reusable Neutron rocket, marking a transformative moment for Virginia’s aerospace sector and its role in national security, innovation, and economic growth.
Governor Glenn Youngkin joined Rocket Lab CEO Sir Peter Beck and state leaders to officially open LC-3, celebrating Virginia’s expanding footprint in commercial space operations. The launch pad, landing zone, and test site were constructed in under two years, a feat of engineering and collaboration that underscores the Commonwealth’s commitment to high-tech infrastructure and workforce development.
“The opening of LC-3 is more than a technological milestone—it’s a bold declaration of Virginia’s leadership in the commercial space industry,” said Governor Youngkin. “From our Eastern Shore, Neutron will deliver responsive launch capabilities that support national defense and drive innovation across the aerospace economy.”
A New Era for U.S. Space Access
Rocket Lab’s Neutron rocket is designed for high-cadence, reusable missions to low Earth orbit, the International Space Station, and beyond—including potential journeys to the Moon and Mars. With a payload capacity of up to 33,000 lbs., Neutron will operate from Pad 0-D, which features a 285-foot-tall water tower capable of releasing 200,000 gallons in under a minute—an essential safety feature for high-powered launches.
“Launch Complex 3 is our commitment to assured access to space,” said Rocket Lab CEO Sir Peter Beck. “Together with Virginia, NASA, and the VSA, we’re expanding the nation’s aerospace capabilities and creating new opportunities for growth and exploration.”
Infrastructure, Innovation, and Impact
The MARS campus now includes four launch pads, a command center, payload processing facilities, and over 600 acres of newly acquired land to support future expansion. Rocket Lab’s investment will bring new jobs to Accomack County and elevate Virginia’s global visibility in aerospace manufacturing and launch services.
“This is where daring meets destiny,” said Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. “Virginia’s skilled workforce and competitive spirit have made the Eastern Shore the launch site of choice for commercial access to space.”
State officials emphasized the strategic importance of Pad 0-D in supporting both government and commercial missions, reinforcing Virginia’s reputation as a hub for advanced infrastructure—from roads and rail to seaports and now spaceports.
“Virginia’s infrastructure is second to none,” said Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller III. “Rocket Lab’s continued investment proves that our assets are primed for innovation and growth.”
Economic Development and STEM Leadership
The Virginia Spaceport Authority (VSA), celebrating its 30th anniversary, continues to drive aerospace-related economic development and STEM education across the Commonwealth. By partnering with global companies like Rocket Lab, VSA is securing Virginia’s place at the forefront of space exploration and commercial launch services.
“We’re not just opening a launch pad—we’re opening a new frontier,” said Delegate Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. “This facility is proof that Virginia is a premier destination for space industry investment.”
For more information about the Virginia Spaceport Authority and its mission to provide assured access to space, visit www.vaspace.org.
