AFRL Award Will Support New Archimedes Rocket Engine
Rocket Lab Will Showcase Digital Engineering
An Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) federal defense contract with a value up to $8 million has been awarded to Rocket Lab to showcase the company’s engineering processes and support the development of Rocket Lab’s new reusable rocket engine, Archimedes. This latest contract recognizes the potential of Rocket Lab and Neutron, the Company’s larger reusable rocket, to provide capability for the National Security Space Launch program (NSSL).
“(T)his provides an early foray into implementing DE into a Launch Vehicle’s vendor’s development.”
Frank Friedl, AFRL
The AFRL contract will explore ‘digital engineering’ (DE) concepts related to Archimedes, Rocket Lab’s new oxidizer-rich staged combustion cycle rocket engine that will power the reusable first stage of Neutron and its second stage capable of delivering up to 13,000 kilograms (≈28,600 pounds) of payload to low Earth orbit. “AFRL has been focusing on DE research, demonstration and implementation, and this provides an early foray into implementing DE into a Launch Vehicle’s vendor’s development,” said Frank Friedl, AFRL/RQR DE Lead.
The contract will facilitate AFRL’s larger effort to develop a digital engineering technology ecosystem that reduces cost, schedule, and risk throughout Space Force programs. The contract includes options to expand Rocket Lab’s implementation of digital engineering processes across the Neutron propulsion system, and further build the digital engineering framework for NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 launch providers.
“This contract is a win-win when it comes to defense and industry partnerships," said Rocket Lab Founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck. "It not only allows the U.S. Air Force to collaborate with industry leaders like the Archimedes team to help modernize the U.S. Air Force’s engineering processes and capabilities, but it will also support smoother integration of Neutron to the NSSL program to more efficiently and quickly provide for some of the nation’s most critical missions. We’re looking forward to showcasing our novel technology solutions for the AFRL to help drive their digital engineering strategies to reality.”
“Over the last decade we’ve seen dramatic improvements from commercial space on engine development, allowing us to shift to addressing space access shortfalls,” said Director Rocket Propulsion Division, Dr. Shawn Phillips. “Digital engineering implementation for space access is the framework we need all of industry to embrace, as it can and will impact each area of need. It’s why programs like this one are a significant step forward in how we integrate faster, speed up certification and advance success of commercial space.”
Other Department of Defense agreements in place that support Neutron’s development include a $24.35m contract with the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) for the rocket’s upper stage, and a research agreement with the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) that is currently exploring point-to-point cargo transport use cases employing the Neutron launch vehicle.