
Rocket Lab USA [RKLB] will conduct a return-to-Earth cargo mission as early as next year using its Neutron launch vehicle, the company said on Thursday. The medium-lift rocket will be used as part of an experimentation effort by the Air Force Research Laboratory to create a rocket-based point-to-point logistics capability to rapidly transport items globally using commercial launch providers. Rocket Lab last November announced its first launch deal for Neutron to deploy satellites for a commercial customer (Defense Daily, Nov.…