Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0
| Company type | Launch facility |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Wallops Island, Virginia , United States |
Area served | Space launches |
| Parent | Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) |
Launch Pad 0 (LP-0), also referred to as Launch Complex 0 (LC-0) or Launch Area 0 (LA-0), is a launch facility situated at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, Virginia, United States. MARS operates adjacent to the NASA Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), which managed this site until 2003. Since then, WFF has continued to provide support services for MARS launches through a contract with the Commonwealth of Virginia.
This complex comprises four launch pads: LP-0A, LP-0B, LP-0C, and LP-0D. The latter two are identified by tenant Rocket Lab as Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) and Launch Complex 3 (LC-3), respectively.
Pad 0A
Originally constructed for the unsuccessful Conestoga rocket project, LP-0A underwent extensive refurbishment between 2009 and 2011 to accommodate Orbital Sciences' Taurus II rocket, now known as Antares. Upgrades included the addition of a Horizontal Integration Facility and a wheeled transporter/erector system designed to roll out and erect the rocket approximately one day prior to launch. Antares conducted its inaugural flight on April 21, 2013.
The pad is equipped with reinforced pilings, facilities for liquid fueling, a flame trench, and a deluge system that provides cooling and sound suppression. It can support a maximum liftoff mass of 453.6 metric tons and payloads up to 5,035 kilograms destined for low Earth orbit.
On October 28, 2014, an Antares rocket experienced a catastrophic failure seconds after liftoff during the Cygnus CRS Orb-3 mission, resulting in substantial damage to the pad. Repair expenses were estimated at approximately US$13 million, with funding contributions from NASA (US$5 million), the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (US$3 million), and Orbital ATK (US$3 million). Restoration work was finished by September 2015, enabling flight operations to recommence with Cygnus CRS OA-5 in October 2016.
In March 2021, Rocket Lab revealed intentions to utilize LP-0A for launching its medium-lift Neutron rocket, aiming for an initial flight as soon as 2024. Nevertheless, Rocket Lab subsequently decided to establish a dedicated Neutron launch complex situated between Pads 0B and 0C.
Following the disruption caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022—which halted production of the RD-181 engine powering Antares’ first stage—Northrop Grumman announced plans to upgrade to the Antares 300-series featuring an enlarged first stage manufactured by Firefly Aerospace. This transition necessitates moderate modifications at LP-0A. Firefly Aerospace also intends to operate this site as an East Coast launch location for its Firefly Alpha vehicle, complementing its existing facilities at Vandenberg SLC-2W and Cape Canaveral SLC-20. Additionally, both Firefly and Northrop Grumman plan for LP-0A to support launches and recoveries of Eclipse, Antares’ successor rocket.
Pad 0B
LP-0B (located at ) became operational in 1999 and underwent enhancements in 2003 culminating with the completion of a mobile service tower in 2004. Currently active, it is utilized by Northrop Grumman for launching Minotaur rockets. The pad’s first launch was a Minotaur I mission in December 2006, marking the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport’s debut launch event.
In 2013, Pad 0B hosted the Minotaur V launch of the LADEE lunar orbiter—the only mission from Wallops that has ventured beyond Earth orbit.
On October 19, 2017, Vector Launch announced plans to conduct three launches near Pad 0B using its developing Vector-R small satellite launcher over a two-year period, with an option for five additional flights. However, due to subsequent bankruptcy and corporate restructuring, these planned launches are now improbable.
Launch Complex 2 (Pad 0C)
In October 2018, Rocket Lab designated Mid-Atlantic as its second launch facility in the United States, creating Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) or Launch Pad 0C adjacent to Pad 0A on Wallops Island. This became Rocket Lab's third launch pad worldwide, utilizing shared infrastructure with Pad 0A. Rockets undergo integration at a nearby site before being moved to the pad for final assembly.
Construction was finalized in December 2019, and Rocket Lab officially opened LC-2 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. A Wet Dress Rehearsal took place in April 2020 to confirm operational readiness of the pad.
The inaugural successful launch from LC-2 happened on January 24, 2023, when an Electron rocket deployed three satellites during the "Virginia is for Launch Lovers" mission, marking Rocket Lab's first Electron launch from U.S. territory.
Launch Complex 3 (Pad 0D)
Rocket Lab initiated construction of a new pad at MARS in October 2023, positioned between LP-0B and LC-2, named Rocket Lab Launch Complex 3 (LC-3) or Launch Pad 0D. This facility is intended to support launches of Rocket Lab's forthcoming Neutron rocket. The pad was officially declared operational on September 2, 2025, commemorated by a ribbon-cutting event attended by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck, and other significant figures.
LP-0A
The Conestoga launch was conducted by Space Services. Antares launches were managed by Orbital Sciences Corporation (2013–2014), Orbital ATK (2016–May 2018), and Northrop Grumman (from November 2018 onward).
| No. | Date | Time (UTC) | Launch vehicle | Configuration | Payload | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23 October 1995 | 22:02 | Conestoga | Conestoga 162۰ | METEOR | Template:Failure | First launch from LP-۰A and MARS. Flight terminated after 46 seconds due to trajectory deviations. |
| 2 | 21 April 2013 | 2100 | Antares | Antares110 | Antares A-ONE | Template:Success | Antares maiden flight and first successful LP-۰A launch. Demonstration mission for Commercial Orbital Transportation Services with a boilerplate payload. |
| 3 | 18 September2013 | 1458 | Antares | Antares110 | Cygnus Orb-D1 | Template:Success | First operational Cygnus spacecraft launch to ISS; Wallops became the fifth site to launch to ISS. |
| 4 | 9 January2014 | 1807 | Antares | Antares120 | Cygnus CRS Orb-1 | Template:Success | ISS resupply mission. |
| 5 | 13 July2014 | 1652 | Antares | Antares120 | Cygnus CRS Orb-2 | Template:Success | ISS resupply mission. |
| 6 | 28 October2014 | 2222 | Antares | Antares130 | Cygnus CRS Orb-3 | Template:Failure | ISS resupply mission. Rocket destroyed due to turbopump failure; extensive pad damage caused subsequent Cygnus flights to shift to Atlas V. |
| 7 | 17 October2016 | 2345 | Antares | Antares230 | Cygnus CRS OA-5 | Template:Success | First LP-۰A launch after Orb-۳ failure; debut flight of Antares200; first enhanced Cygnus variant launched from MARS. |
| 8 | 12 November2017 | 1219 | Antares | Antares230 | Cygnus CRS OA-8E | Template:Success | ISS resupply mission. |
| 9 | 21 May2018 | 0844 | Antares | Antares230 | Cygnus CRS OA-9E | Template:Success | ISS resupply mission. |
| 10 | 17 November2018 | 0901 | Antares | Antares230 | Cygnus NG-10 | Template:Success | ISS resupply mission; first Northrop Grumman launch from LP-۰A. |
| 11 | 17 April2019 | 1646 | Antares | Antares230 | Cygnus NG-11 | Template:Success | ISS resupply mission. |
| 12 | 2 November2019 | 1359 | Antares | Antares230+ | Cygnus NG-12 | Template:Success | ISS resupply mission; included secondary payload demonstration satellites for National Reconnaissance Office. |
| 13 | 15 February202۰ | 2021 | Antares | Antares230+ | Cygnus NG-13 | Template:Success | ISS resupply mission. |
| 14 | 3 October202۰ | 0216 | Antares | Antares230+ | Cygnus NG-14 | Template:Success | ISS resupply mission. |
| 15 | 20 February202۱ | 1736 | Antares | Antares230+ | Cygnus NG-15 | Template:Success | ISS resupply mission. |
| 16 | 10 August202۱ | 2201 | Antares | Antares230+ | Cygnus NG-16 | Template:Success | ISS resupply mission. |
| 17 | 19 February202۲ | 1740 | Antares | Antares230+ | Cygnus NG-17 | Template:Success | ISS resupply mission. |
| 18 | 7 November202۲ | 1032 | Antares | Antares230+ | Cygnus NG-18 | Template:Success | ISS resupply mission. |
| 19 | 2 August202۳ | 0031 | Antares | Antares230+ | Cygnus NG-19 | Template:Success |
Last flight of Antares200 due to disruption in first stage production caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This led to transferring four additional Cygnus missions to Falcon9, with one replaced following shipping damage. |
LP-0B
The ALV X-1 launch was conducted by Alliant Techsystems. Between 2006 and 2013, Orbital Sciences Corporation managed Minotaur launches, with Northrop Grumman taking over operations from 2020 onward.
| No. | Date | Time (UTC) | Launch vehicle | Payload | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 December 2006 | 12:00 | Minotaur I | TacSat-2 / GeneSat-1 | Template:Success | Developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory, this experimental satellite marked the inaugural launch from LP-0B and the first Minotaur mission from the East Coast. |
| 2 | 24 April 2007 | 06:48 | Minotaur I | NFIRE | Template:Success | A satellite for the Missile Defense Agency, designed to study rocket plumes. |
| 3 | 22 August 2008 | 09:10 | ALV X-1 | Hy-BoLT / SOAREX-VI | Template:Failure | Suborbital flight carrying hypersonic payloads for NASA. This was the only ATK Launch Vehicle flight; the mission was terminated by range safety after an off-course deviation. |
| 4 | 19 May 2009 | 23:55 | Minotaur I | TacSat-3 | Template:Success | An experimental satellite developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory. |
| 5 | 30 June 2011 | 03:09 | Minotaur I | ORS-1 | Template:Success | Reconnaissance satellite for the Operationally Responsive Space Office, also designated USA-231. |
| 6 | 7 September 2013 | 03:27 | Minotaur V | LADEE | Template:Success | Lunar orbiter investigating the Moon and its atmosphere. This mission represented the first Minotaur V flight, the initial orbital civilian launch from LP-0B, and the first Wallops launch to a celestial body beyond Earth. |
| 7 | 20 November 2013 | 01:15 | Minotaur I | ORS 3, STPSat-3 | Template:Success | Reconnaissance satellites deployed for the Operationally Responsive Space Office. |
| 8 | 15 July 2020 | 13:46 | Minotaur IV | NROL-129 | Template:Success | Launch of four classified satellites (USA-305 to USA-308) by NRO. This was both the first Minotaur IV launch from Wallops and NRO's inaugural launch there. |
| 9 | 15 June 2021 | 13:35 | Minotaur I | NROL-111 | Template:Success | NRO mission deploying three classified satellites (USA-316 to USA-318). |
LC-2 (LP-0C)
All missions are conducted by Rocket Lab.
| No. | Date | Time (UTC) | Launch vehicle | Mission | Payload | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 January 2023 | 23:00 | Electron | "Virginia Is For Launch Lovers" | HawkEye 360 Cluster 6 | Template:Success | Marked as the first launch from LC-2/LP-0C and Rocket Lab Electron's debut launch from U.S. soil. |
| 2 | 16 March 2023 | 22:39 | Electron | "Stronger Together" | Capella 9 / Capella 10 | Template:Success | |
| 3 | 18 June 2023 | 01:25 | Electron (HASTE) | "Scout's Arrow" | DYNAMO-A | Template:Success | Suborbital mission; this was Electron's inaugural flight in HASTE configuration. |
| 4 | 21 March 2024 | 07:25 | Electron | "Live and Let Fly" | NROL-123 | Template:Success | A National Reconnaissance Office launch involving four satellites including USA-352; represents LC-2's first orbital military mission. |
| 5 | 24 November 2024 | 06:00 | Electron (HASTE) | "HASTE A La Vista" | MACH-TB | Template:Success | First of four HASTE missions supporting Leidos and the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed program. |
| 6 | 14 December 2024 | 01:00 | Electron (HASTE) | "Stonehenge" | Unknown | Template:Success | |
| 7 | 23 September 2025 | 00:00 | Electron (HASTE) | "Jenna" | Unknown | Template:Success | |
| 8 | 1 October 2025 | 00:28 | Electron (HASTE) | "Justin" | Unknown | Template:Success | |
| 9 | 18 November 2025 | 13:00 | Electron (HASTE) | "Prometheus Run" | Van | Template:Success | Primary payload "Van," developed by the Applied Physics Laboratory, focused on missile defense technology testing. |
Future Launches
| Date | Launch Vehicle | Payload |
|---|---|---|
| 8 December 2025 | Electron | STP-S30 |