Rocket Lab 推出新發射台　Neutron 火箭今年可望首飛 — 台灣觀點深度解析

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(Rocket Lab)

美國新興商業航太公司 Rocket Lab 於 2025 年 8 月 29 日在維吉尼亞州沃洛普島（Wallops Island）正式揭幕最新 Launch Complex 3（LC-3）發射設施。該基地將專門支援下一代 Neutron 可重複使用火箭的發射、測試與回收任務。此舉意味著 Rocket Lab 正全面進軍中型運載火箭市場，挑戰目前由 SpaceX 與 ULA 主導的美國商業與軍事發射格局。

一、LC-3 新發射台啟用

• 新設施位於 NASA Wallops Flight Facility 太空港，整合火箭發射、測試與回收功能，是 Rocket Lab 迄今最完整的專屬發射場。
• 維吉尼亞州州長 Glenn Youngkin 在揭幕典禮中表示，Wallops 將成為美國最具發展潛力的太空產業聚落之一。

二、Neutron 火箭核心亮點

• 高度：43 公尺（141 英尺）
• 運載能力：可將 13,000 公斤載荷送入近地軌道（LEO）
• 推進系統：第一節配置 9 具 Archimedes 引擎（液態甲烷＋液態氧），第二節搭載真空優化引擎
• 回收能力：第一節可垂直返回發射場附近回收，降低後勤成本
• 市場定位：專攻中型火箭市場，直接對標 SpaceX Falcon 9

三、首飛計畫

• 預計時間：2025 年底前

• 發射頻率規劃
   

  • 2026 年：3 次
  • 2027 年：5 次
  • 2030 年後：目標達到每月 1 次以上

   

• 已納入美國國家安全太空發射（NSSL）計畫，預計承接軍用衛星與戰略任務

四、對台灣的戰略啟示

1. 自主太空發射能力需加速布局
   Neutron 採用中型可回收設計，大幅降低成本，台灣可借鏡發展低成本、高效率的中型衛星火箭。
2. 強化國防衛星與商業應用整合
   Rocket Lab 已進入美國軍事發射市場，台灣可同步規劃國防衛星與商業衛星整合方案，降低對國際發射市場依賴。
3. 擴大台美合作機會
   建議台灣積極爭取與 NASA、Rocket Lab、SpaceX 建立共載合作，並促進技術轉移與發射窗口協作。

三大觀察重點

1. Rocket Lab 啟用新發射台 LC-3，Neutron 火箭計畫年底首飛，搶攻中型火箭市場
2. 可重複使用設計降低發射成本，直接挑戰 SpaceX Falcon 9 的市場主導地位
3. 台灣應加速太空發展戰略，推動中型火箭、衛星發射與美國合作

The American emerging commercial space company Rocket Lab officially inaugurated its latest Launch Complex 3 (LC-3) facility on August 29, 2025, at Wallops Island, Virginia. The new site is dedicated to supporting the launch, testing, and recovery operations of the company’s next-generation Neutron reusable rocket. This marks Rocket Lab’s full-scale entry into the medium-lift launch vehicle market, challenging the dominance of SpaceX and United Launch Alliance (ULA) in both U.S. commercial and national security launch sectors.

I. LC-3 Launch Pad Commissioned

• The new facility is located at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility spaceport and integrates launch, testing, and recovery operations, making it the most comprehensive dedicated launch site in Rocket Lab’s history.
• At the inauguration ceremony, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin stated that Wallops is set to become one of America’s most promising hubs for space industry development.

II. Key Highlights of the Neutron Rocket

• Height: 43 meters (141 feet)
• Payload Capacity: Up to 13,000 kilograms to Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Propulsion System: First stage powered by nine Archimedes engines (liquid methane + liquid oxygen); second stage equipped with a vacuum-optimized Archimedes engine
• Reusability: The first stage is designed for vertical landing and recovery near the launch site, significantly reducing operational costs
• Market Positioning: Targeted at the medium-lift market, positioned as a direct competitor to SpaceX Falcon 9

III. First Launch Plans

• Planned Debut: By the end of 2025
• Projected Launch Cadence:
   
  • 2026: 3 launches
  • 2027: 5 launches
  • Post-2030: Goal to reach one launch per month or higher
•  
• The Neutron rocket has been selected under the U.S. National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program and is expected to support military satellites and other strategic missions.

IV. Strategic Implications for Taiwan

1. Accelerating Domestic Launch Capabilities
   Neutron’s medium-class reusable design significantly reduces launch costs. Taiwan can leverage this model to develop cost-effective, high-performance medium-lift satellite launch vehicles.
2. Integrating Defense and Commercial Satellite Applications
   With Rocket Lab successfully entering the U.S. military launch market, Taiwan should plan an integrated strategy for defense and commercial satellite deployments, reducing reliance on foreign launch providers.
3. Expanding Taiwan-U.S. Cooperation Opportunities
   Taiwan should actively pursue rideshare opportunities and technology transfer partnerships with NASA, Rocket Lab, and SpaceX, enabling access to shared launch windows and advanced launch technologies.

Key Observations

1. Rocket Lab inaugurates new LC-3 launch complex; Neutron rocket is on track for its first launch by the end of 2025, aiming to capture the medium-lift launch market.
2. Reusable rocket design cuts launch costs, positioning Rocket Lab as a direct challenger to SpaceX Falcon 9.
3. Taiwan should accelerate its space strategy by developing medium-lift rockets, expanding satellite launch capabilities, and deepening cooperation with the U.S.