Rocket Lab Opens Engine Development Center in Former Virgin Orbit Headquarters, US

Rocket Lab has opened its new Engine Development Center in Long Beach, California, housed in a building that was previously Virgin Orbit’s headquarters. The 13,400-square-meter facility will be used for the production of Rutherford engines for Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket and Archimedes engines for the upcoming Neutron rocket. Rocket Lab purchased the facility, machinery, and equipment for $16.1 million in a bankruptcy auction, allowing them to accelerate production timelines and minimize uncertainties. The new center provides an opportunity for Rocket Lab to expand its space systems business and is conveniently located near its current headquarters. Employees have already set up equipment for engine production, with full-scale production expected to ramp up in the coming months. The acquisition of the facility demonstrates the resilience of Long Beach’s space cluster and has been welcomed by the city. Rocket Lab is also actively investigating the cause of the recent launch failure but remains optimistic about a return to flight in the near future. With its new Engine Development Center, Rocket Lab is well-positioned to continue making advancements in the space industry.