NASA’s Stennis Space Center and Rocket Lab USA cut the ribbon Friday on a new agreement for the aerospace company to locate its engine test complex at the rocket propulsion site near Bay St. Louis.
NASA, Rocket Lab, and key elected officials gathered in the Stennis Test Complex for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark launch of the new 10-year agreement.
Rocket Lab expects to make a substantial capital investment in the project in upcoming years and also create dozens of jobs for the surrounding area.
With the new agreement, the A-3 Test Stand and about 24 surrounding acres at Stennis will be incorporated into the Archimedes Test Complex. Archimedes is Rocket Lab’s new liquid oxygen and liquid methane rocket engine that will power its large, reusable Neutron rocket. Rocket Lab will have exclusive access to use and develop the A-3 Test Stand area, including associated propellant barge docks and buildings.
The initial 10-year agreement includes an option to extend an additional 10 years.
Rocket Lab, founded in 2006, is headquartered in Long Beach, California. It already builds and flies Electron rockets for small satellite launches.
