Rocket Lab Corp., based in Long Beach, California, has selected Bollinger Shipyards, located in Lockport, Louisiana, for an ambitious project to convert a deck barge into a specialized platform designed to catch rocket landings at sea. The company’s new platform, named Return On Investment, will be pivotal for the recovery missions of its Neutron rocket.
The barge, originally built in 2010 and measuring 400′ by 105′ by 25′, was purchased from Canal Barge, Inc. of New Orleans. The modification work is already underway at Bollinger’s shipyard in Amelia, Louisiana, with an expected delivery date set for early 2026.
Rocket Lab’s platform will feature various state-of-the-art technologies, including autonomous ground support equipment, blast shielding for protection during rocket landings, and thrusters that will help the platform maintain its position on the ocean during the returns. This will directly support Rocket Lab’s launch operations from Wallops Island, Virginia.
In the competitive aerospace industry, companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin are increasingly employing marine solutions like droneships and specialized barges to facilitate rocket recoveries via ocean landings. Shaun D’Mello, Vice President of Neutron at Rocket Lab, emphasized the significance this project will have on the rocket’s reusability and overall success. He noted that partnering with Bollinger, known for their expertise in shipbuilding, will help modernize shipyard capabilities within Louisiana and meet aerospace industry demands.
Bollinger Shipyards President and CEO Ben Bordelon expressed pride in collaborating with Rocket Lab, highlighting the project as a demonstration of American ingenuity in both shipbuilding and space exploration. The initiative not only aims to enhance the efficiency of space missions but also reinforces the innovation present in the U.S. maritime sector.
This collaboration stands as a hopeful advance for both the aerospace and shipbuilding industries, paving the way for future developments in reusable rocket technology and enhancing operational excellence in meeting space exploration needs.