Bright future for Wallops to continue in 2026

This article was originally published in September 2025 Photo Courtesy Rocket Lab

A big boost could be coming to the Eastern Shore’s economy — and its future workforce.

On Thursday, crowds gathered at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility to celebrate the opening of a brand-new launch pad. Launch Complex 3  will serve as the home for Rocket Lab’s Neutron rocket, which is expected to lift off for the first time before the end of the year.

Governor Glenn Youngkin says Rocket Lab’s CEO is aiming to make Wallops the launch site for the largest rocket ever to take off from the Eastern Shore. The Neutron can carry more than 30 tons of cargo — a huge step up from the current eight tons delivered by Northrop Grumman missions to the International Space Station.

Officials say the Neutron could play a vital role in America’s space ambitions, from building a permanent station on the moon to laying the groundwork for missions to Mars — and maybe even Venus. And because Wallops is the only site capable of launching the Neutron, the project is expected to fuel growth not just in aerospace, but in local tourism as well. Hotels and restaurants on Chincoteague and nearby towns could soon be packed with rocket-watchers.

Also on Thursday, Governor Youngkin cut the ribbon on the new Air and Space Academy — a partnership between Old Dominion University, Eastern Shore Community College, and local schools. The academy is designed to give students the skills they need to launch careers in aerospace — and the chance to stay and work right here at home.

With tens of millions of dollars invested in new infrastructure at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, officials say the opportunities for Eastern Shore graduates have never looked brighter.