March 1st news, Rocket Lab USA recently announced a rocket recovery barge plan called “Return On Investment”, which will serve as a sea landing platform for reusable rockets to return to Earth.
“The Return On Investment recovery barge will be converted from the 122-metre Oceanus barge supplied by Canal Barge. The barge will undergo a series of conversions to enable the reusable Neutron rocket to land at sea. The conversion will include equipping the barge with autonomous deck support systems to capture and secure the Neutron rocket after landing, installing explosion-proof shielding to protect equipment during rocket landings, and adding positioning thrusters to ensure precise positioning of the barge.
Rocket Lab USA said it has completed the acquisition of the barge, which will be converted throughout 2025 and is expected to be operational in 2026.
The Neutron rocket is a reusable, carbon-composite, medium-sized launch vehicle being developed by Rocket Lab USA to meet the requirements for single and multi-satellite constellation deployments, national security missions, cargo delivery to all types of Earth orbits, as well as lunar and interstellar exploration.