u/FlakyDingo463

Rocket Lab has already begun hiring for positions in Europe. One of note is “Director, European Government Operations”.

https://de.linkedin.com/jobs/view/director-european-government-operations-at-rocket-lab-4402744271

A job responsibility which raised eyebrows for me is “Shape Rocket Lab's positioning in active European policy debates - including launch sovereignty, the European Defense Industrial Program (EDIP), dual-use technology regulation, and the EU Space Program's procurement framework works.”

‘Launch sovereignty’ is interesting. Is Rocket Lab eyeing up a European launch pad? Otherwise feels strange that they’d want to put a focus on launch sovereignty.

There is an upcoming Electron/HASTE mission from wallops (LC-2), codenamed 'MAELSTROM'.

6 Month launch window opens on May 15th to November 15th 2026.

Source: https://apps.fcc.gov//els/GetAtt.html?id=399943&x=