Rocket Lab unveils GHOST deployable launch system

Rocket Lab has unveiled GHOST (Global Hypersonic & Orbital Spaceport Technology), a containerized launch system designed to enable suborbital and orbital missions from any location worldwide. The system packages rockets, ground support, and range control systems into standard shipping containers, allowing for rapid deployment and increased mobility for both Electron and HASTE vehicles.

The technology was developed in response to customer demand for greater flexibility in flight trajectories and mission profiles. It is particularly aimed at supporting national security and hypersonic testing requirements. By reducing the need for permanent fixed infrastructure, GHOST allows for the activation of new launch sites to support diverse orbital inclinations and suborbital trajectories.

The first GHOST installation, designated Launch Complex 4, will be established at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska. This expansion is linked to a $266 million U.S. Space Force contract for suborbital launches. The system is expected to make its operational debut with a suborbital launch in 2027.