Launching in Warkworth
Tell us about Rocket Lab and what the company does.
Rocket Lab is a publicly-traded space company that builds, operates, and launches rockets and satellites for its global customers.
Our first rocket, Electron, is an undisputed leader in the small launch industry, having launched 50 times to deploy 190 satellites to space; assisting with weather monitoring, Earth-imaging, science experiments, supporting national security, and more. Electron is the world’s first orbital rocket built from carbon fibre that flies with the world’s first 3D-printed rocket engine.
Electron launches from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Māhia, New Zealand, the world’s first private orbital launch site. As a result, New Zealand is now one of the busiest launching states globally, with only the United States, China and Russia launching more rockets annually - a phenomenal achievement for a nation that gained orbital launch capability just over six years ago.
We’re also currently deep in the development of a much larger new rocket called Neutron, a reusable, 43 metre tall carbon composite rocket capable of lifting up to 13,000kg to orbit. Neutron will be
a game changer for the launch industry, supporting satellite customers who want to deploy their entire constellation of satellites at once, completing cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station, and conducting interplanetary missions to explore planets such as Mars and Venus. Beyond rockets, two-thirds of Rocket Lab’s revenue as a business comes from space systems; satellites, the components they’re made of, and everything that ensures a satellite’s mission success. In the coming months, we are scheduled for two of our satellites to be launched to Mars on a scientific mission for NASA to study the planet’s outer atmosphere, which is an example of the satellites that form a backlog of 40 plus satellites currently in production by Rocket Lab.
Why did Rocket Lab choose Warkworth for their new facility?
Rocket Lab’s new Warkworth facility is the site that was formerly operated by SailGP Technologies before the company relocated its operations to the United Kingdom. SailGP Technologies had been a close partner and supplier to Rocket Lab, providing selected advanced composite materials and components for our Electron rocket. When SailGP made the decision to relocate, Rocket Lab stepped in to lease the 70,000 sq/ft facility and retained more than 90% of the SailGP Technologies staff with more than 50 SailGP staff joining the Rocket Lab team.
What kind of operations will the Warkworth facility focus on?
The site will continue to produce carbon composite structures for both our Electron and Neutron rockets as we ramp up the production of both launch vehicles. When Rocket Lab acquired the Warkworth site we took over the facilities’ advanced manufacturing equipment, including an autoclave, ovens, composite material cutting plotters, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) metal machining equipment, and large- scale CNC composite machining equipment, to support accelerated research and development, and production.
What opportunities will the Warkworth branch create for locals?
We are always hiring at Rocket Lab as we grow with new missions for our spacecraft and new launch contracts for our launch business. We currently have four open roles in our Warkworth facility, from composite CNC programmer and operator, composite technicians through to senior IT support specialist.
Often the perception is that you need to be a rocket scientist to work at Rocket Lab, but for a lot of roles that’s not necessarily true. We take on a lot of tradies who have transferable skills from their experience in boat building or a related trade. We try to hire locally as much as we can, so if there are any tradies or technicians in Warkworth who might like to get into a career at a rocket factory, we’d love to hear from them!