战争部战略资本办公室向Rocket Lab提供1.5亿美元有条件贷款承诺，支持Neutron火箭增产扩能
美国战争部11月9日发布，战争部战略资本办公室（OSC）当日宣布，已与Rocket Lab USA, Inc.签署一项1.5亿美元的有条件贷款承诺。Rocket Lab USA是纳斯达克上市公司Rocket Lab Corporation（NASDAQ: RKLB）的主要运营子公司，也是全球发射服务与航天系统领域的领先企业。
战争部说，这笔贷款旨在支持Rocket Lab提高其可回收复用的Neutron火箭在首飞之后的发射频率，以满足商业与国家安全领域对入轨通道不断增长的需求。OSC表示，这项承诺服务于一项关键的国家安全优先事项：扩大美国的太空发射能力、增强经济韧性。
按公布内容，拟议贷款将支持更快的运载器交付与处理，允许Rocket Lab扩充其海上船队、增添Neutron回收与运输设备；还将支持制造环节升级，提高复合材料结构与发动机的产量，并建设可缩短发射周转时间的基础设施，以备这款可复用火箭投入运营。
Neutron是一款可回收复用的运载火箭，设计可将约13,000公斤载荷送入近地轨道，为快速星座部署、国家安全载荷与未来的行星际任务而设计。战争部说，该火箭将为美国政府提供一个新的中型运力发射平台，确保入轨通道不中断。
OSC负责投资的高级副总裁Peter F. Anderson说：「这项有条件承诺将使Rocket Lab能用其Neutron火箭为商业与政府客户创造更多发射机会，并以一个可重复、可靠的新发射平台增强美国的发射能力。」主管研究与工程的战争部副部长Emil Michael说：「我赞赏战略资本办公室投资于关键的太空发射能力。特朗普总统的愿景讲得很清楚：太空优势对美国的实力与安全至关重要。这笔OSC交易支持这一愿景，建设保卫我们国家安全利益所需的、有韧性、有能力的国内发射网络。」
战争部同时说明，这项有条件贷款承诺规定了Rocket Lab在财务交割前必须完成的额外步骤，包括满足财务、法律、技术、投资、尽职调查等方面的各项要求。（来源：美国战争部）
Department of War's Office of Strategic Capital Signs $150 Million Conditional Loan Commitment With Rocket Lab
The U.S. Department of War announced on November 9 that its Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) has signed a $150 million conditional loan commitment with Rocket Lab USA, Inc., the principal operating subsidiary of Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ: RKLB) and a global leader in launch services and space systems.
The Department said the loan would support Rocket Lab's efforts to increase the flight rate of its reusable Neutron rocket beyond first launch, to meet growing commercial and national security demand for access to space. OSC said the commitment supports a critical national security priority: scaling America's space launch capabilities and supporting economic resiliency.
Under the announcement, the proposed loan would support faster vehicle delivery and processing and allow Rocket Lab to expand its fleet of maritime vessels with additional equipment for Neutron recovery and transport. It would also enable manufacturing upgrades to increase production of composite structures and engines, and support infrastructure that would reduce turnaround time between launches once the reusable rocket makes its operational debut.
Neutron is a reusable launch vehicle designed to deliver payloads of approximately 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit, engineered for rapid constellation deployment, national security payloads, and future interplanetary missions. The Department said the rocket would provide the U.S. government with a capable new medium-lift launch platform, ensuring uninterrupted access to space.
"This conditional commitment would enable Rocket Lab to create more launch opportunities for commercial and government customers using its Neutron rocket and strengthen the United States' launch capacity with a repeatable and reliable new space launch platform," said Peter F. Anderson, Senior Vice President (Investments) at OSC. Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, said: "I applaud the Office of Strategic Capital for investing in critical space launch capabilities. President Trump's vision makes it clear that space superiority is vital to America's strength and security. This OSC transaction supports that vision by building the resilient, capable domestic launch network required to safeguard our national security interests."
The Department noted that the conditional loan commitment specifies additional steps Rocket Lab must complete before financial close, including satisfying various financial, legal, technical, investment, due diligence, and other requirements. (Source: U.S. Department of War)
来源：美国战争部
发布：GSM·美国（发布链接）
图片来源：图：Rocket Lab 的 HASTE 火箭自弗吉尼亚州 Wallops 飞行设施夜间发射（资料图）。NASA/Danielle Johnson 摄，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: A Rocket Lab HASTE rocket launches at night from Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia (file photo). NASA/Danielle Johnson, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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