Photo courtesy of Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab plans to develop a U.S. launch site for its Electron rocket at one of four U.S. spaceports — Cape Canaveral, Wallops Flight Facility, Pacific Spaceport Complex, and Vandenberg Air Force Base — the company announced July 10. Rocket Lab Founder and Chief Executive Peter Beck said a decision on the site, which will be named Launch Complex 2, is expected to be made next month.

“The development of Rocket Lab’s U.S. launch site strengthens our existing position as the industry leader providing frequent and tailored access to orbit for small satellites. Launching from U.S. soil adds an extra layer of flexibility for our government and commercial customers, offering an unmatched ability to rapidly deploy space-based assets with confidence and precision,” Beck said in a statement.

The four potential launch sites are being assessed against a range of criteria, including anticipated pad construction cost and time-frame, regulatory lead times and ongoing costs once the site is operational. Rocket Lab is considering East and West coast options to explore a wide range of inclinations matched against current and anticipated manifest demand.