In a striking convergence of maritime heritage and aerospace innovation, Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards has embarked on a project to transform a conventional barge into a cutting-edge floating rocket landing platform for California's Rocket Lab. This venture represents a significant shift for the 79-year-old shipbuilder, historically focused on commercial and military vessels, into the high-stakes arena of reusable spaceflight infrastructure.

The project centers on converting a 400-foot barge, acquired from New Orleans-based Canal Barge and aptly named "Return on Investment," into a stable oceanic landing zone for Rocket Lab's Neutron reusable rockets. Key modifications underway at Bollinger’s Amelia, Louisiana shipyard include:

  • Advanced Thrusters: To maintain platform stability during critical rocket landing operations, counteracting ocean swells.
  • Remote Command Systems: Enabling control of the vessel from distant mission centers.
  • Blast Shields: Protecting the platform's structure from the intense heat and force of rocket engine exhaust during landings.

Rocket Lab intends to deploy the platform on the U.S. East Coast near its Virginia launch site. The Neutron rocket, standing 141 feet tall and capable of lifting 13-ton payloads to orbit, is central to Rocket Lab's strategy to compete with SpaceX's Falcon rockets and Blue Origin's reusable systems. Reusability is a cornerstone for reducing launch costs and increasing access to space for satellite deployments and national security missions.

"Bollinger is proud to partner with Rocket Lab on a project that showcases both the ingenuity and innovation of American shipbuilding and the future of space flight," stated Bollinger CEO Ben Bordelon.

This contract signifies a notable expansion of Louisiana's aerospace footprint, complementing the decades-long presence of NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans. Josh Tatum of Greater New Orleans Inc. highlighted the growing synergy: "As commercial space exploration continues to expand so will the need for rocket, satellite and rover recovery. A lot of this activity will be happening out at sea."

Rocket Lab, founded in 2006, has rapidly grown through acquisitions and now boasts around 2,000 employees globally. The company provides end-to-end space services, including satellite launches and spacecraft manufacturing, having already delivered over 200 satellites to orbit. This partnership with Bollinger leverages the shipyard's expertise in robust maritime construction to solve a critical challenge in the new space economy: reliably and safely recovering large reusable rockets at sea, paving the way for more frequent and cost-effective access to orbit.

Source: Based on original reporting by Rich Collins, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate.