- Published on
Rocket Lab unveils new 'GHOST' portable spaceport system
- Authors
- Name
- DeepHorus
Rocket Lab has unveiled a new portable spaceport system called GHOST, designed to enable its Electron and HASTE rockets to launch from anywhere in the world. The system, revealed on Aug. 10, packages complete rockets, launch infrastructure, and range control systems into standard shipping containers, offering a "launch-anywhere, launch-anytime" capability for both commercial and national security missions.
The announcement comes as Rocket Lab expands its operations beyond its current launch sites in New Zealand and Virginia. The company has recently announced plans to fly from Alaska's Pacific Spaceport Complex, and GHOST will be used to deploy two planned pads there. This portable approach is intended to support multi-launch flight campaigns and critical defense-related launches.
Electron, Rocket Lab's workhorse orbital rocket, has completed 83 missions since its debut in 2017. The 59-foot-tall launcher provides dedicated rides for small satellites. HASTE, a suborbital variant, has flown nine times since its first flight in June 2023, supporting hypersonic technology testing.
According to the company, GHOST represents a significant shift in launch logistics. Instead of constructing permanent infrastructure, the system can be rapidly deployed to remote locations, making it easier to respond to urgent launch requirements. This capability is particularly valuable for missile defense testing and establishing sovereign orbital launch capabilities for allied nations.
Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck emphasized the strategic importance of this development during the company's second-quarter earnings call. "We've mastered the art of building launch sites," he said. "Now we're making them deployable worldwide." Beck noted that GHOST was inspired by a HASTE customer who requested greater mobility from the company.
Looking ahead, Rocket Lab continues to develop its larger Neutron rocket, which will be partially reusable and more powerful than Electron. While initial flights have faced delays, Beck reported significant progress, with all major components undergoing testing. The company aims to deliver the first Neutron to its Wallops Island pad in the fourth quarter of this year.
