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NASA, Wallops and Rocket Lab highlight launch growth; urge state study to attract aerospace manufacturing to Eastern Shore
Summary
NASA Goddard and Wallops leaders and a Rocket Lab executive told the Eastern Shore delegation that Wallops has unused launch capacity and could anchor regional aerospace manufacturing if the state and local partners invest in business-ready sites, workforce training and incentives.
NASA Goddard Center Director Dr. Mackenzie Liftsrup and Wallops Flight Facility Director Dave Pierce told the Eastern Shore delegation on Feb. 21 that Wallops is growing launch activity but that Maryland lacks a robust local aerospace manufacturing base. Jennifer (Rocket Lab, Neutron/Electron program) described vehicle production and a planned larger rocket, and urged regional coordination to capture supply‑chain jobs.
Liftsrup said Goddard and Wallops support roughly $8.3 billion in statewide economic impact and 33,000 jobs but ‘‘we are punching below our weight’’ when it comes to industrial manufacturing on the Eastern Shore. She urged the Maryland Aerospace Technology Commission (MATC) or other state actors to commission a study on what it would take to attract aerospace manufacturers closer to Wallops and recommended legislators meet companies such as Northrop Grumman, Firefly and Rocket Lab to understand business needs.
‘‘We have universities and community colleges that are ripe with talent,’’ Liftsrup said. ‘‘Understanding what do we need to do to attract manufacturers in the near and immediate term would really free us up to unleash even more economic development.’’
Dave Pierce said Wallops launched about 18 missions last year, grew its portfolio by 39% and expects an annual launch-rate increase of about 30% to the end of the decade. He and Liftsrup argued Wallops can help with payload processing and rapid re‑supply for satellite constellations, and that Wallops still has physical capacity compared with more congested sites on the West Coast and Florida.
Jennifer (Rocket Lab) said Rocket Lab operates the Electron rocket from Wallops and is developing a larger, reusable Neutron vehicle. She noted Rocket Lab’s manufacturing footprint in Middle River, Maryland, and said the industry needs business‑ready sites, incentives and workforce partnerships: ‘‘We often look for business ready sites…part of the reason we are in Middle River, Maryland and not on the Eastern Shore is there wasn't the infrastructure to do our build. Otherwise, we would probably be on the Eastern Shore,’’ she said.
Delegates raised the role of state tax policy and regulatory competitiveness. Delegate Hutchinson contrasted Maryland’s corporate tax climate with Colorado’s and urged state-level competitiveness; several members suggested the MATC study and pledged to coordinate with economic‑development partners and the governor’s office on incentives and workforce programs. Delegate Hartman noted ongoing outreach with the governor’s office and regional leaders to advance the aerospace opportunity.
Why it matters: Wallops is one of three continental U.S. federal launch sites and offers space for expanded launch cadence, payload processing and supply‑chain jobs. Delegation leaders and federal partners said targeted state action, business‑ready sites and workforce training could help capture more manufacturing investment for the Eastern Shore.
Ending: NASA and industry representatives invited the delegation for a site visit to Wallops and encouraged sustained coordination among state, university and industry stakeholders.
