Tag: Neutron
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Rocket Lab Wins NASA Contract for Three Electron Science Missions
Rocket Lab has secured a new launch contract from NASA to carry out three scientific missions using its Electron rocket, further expanding its government launch portfolio. The launches will support NASA’s Polarised Submillimetre Ice-cloud Radiometer (PolSIR) and Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor-2 (TSIS-2) missions, with liftoffs scheduled to begin in 2027 from Rocket Lab’s…
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Rocket Lab announces five-launch Neutron deal as it continues aiming for late 2026 debut
Rocket Lab conducts a launch simulation of its Neutron rocket from Launch Complex 3 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on Oct. 3, 2025. Image: Rocket Lab Rocket Lab announced the block sale of five Neutron rocket launches and three Electron rocket flights to a secret customer. While the…
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Hungry Hippos and Test Tanks – Rocket Lab building towards Neutron
Rocket Lab’s innovative “Hungry Hippo” fairings for the Neutron rocket have arrived at Wallops Island, Virginia, marking a key milestone in preparations for the vehicle’s long-awaited debut flight. The arrival came days after Rocket Lab explained the rupture of a first stage tank during qualification trials. The reusable fairing system—nicknamed “Hungry Hippo” for its distinctive…
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After record-breaking 2025, Rocket Lab prepares for Neutron’s debut in 2026
Rocket Lab had its most successful year to date in 2025, with its Electron rocket completing 21 successful flights and the company racking up several new industry contracts. One such contract is with the Space Development Agency, valued at up to $816 million, for Rocket Lab to develop 18 missile-warning satellites — the company’s largest…
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Rocket Lab delays debut of Neutron rocket to 2026
An artist’s rendering of a Rocket Lab Neutron rocket during stage separation. Illustration: Rocket Lab The inaugural flight of Rocket Lab’s reusable, medium-lift Neutron rocket is now set for 2026, instead of this year. The company said more testing and qualification work was needed. Sir Peter Beck, the CEO of Rocket Lab, announced the shift…
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Rocket Lab Delays First Neutron Rocket Launch to 2026
Rocket Lab has postponed the inaugural flight of its Neutron rocket to 2026, citing the need for more testing and qualification work. CEO Sir Peter Beck announced the delay during the company’s third-quarter earnings call on Nov. 10, saying the goal is to deliver Neutron to the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in early…
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Peter Beck discusses Neutron development as maiden flight nears
Rocket Lab’s ambitious push to launch its Neutron medium-lift rocket before the end of the year is entering the home stretch, with CEO Sir Peter Beck telling NSF that his team is “literally sleeping in the factories” to meet the aggressive timeline. “We’ll be there on the last day of December until the last hour…
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Rocket Lab achieves multiple milestones in Neutron development
Rocket Lab is making rapid progress in its quest to get its medium-lift launcher, Neutron, ready for launch by the second half of this year. Multiple tests of both the first and second stages of the rocket are in progress, contracts are being awarded for Rocket Lab to secure, and the Launch Complex 3 pad…
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Rocket Lab to debut point-to-point cargo transportation capability on 2026 Air Force mission
An artist’s rendering of a Rocket Lab Neutron rocket during stage separation. Illustration: Rocket Lab Rocket Lab is looking to demonstrate the reusability of its forthcoming Neutron rocket next year with a so-called ‘return-to-Earth’ mission no earlier than 2026. Ahead of its first quarter 2025 earnings call on Thursday, the company announced a new contract…
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Sir Peter Beck unplugged: “Transporter can do it for free for all we care”
Peter Beck has been having a pretty great June. Earlier this month, he was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Then, Sir Peter Beck presided as Rocket Lab launched its 50th Electron rocket, becoming the fastest company to launch its 50th privately developed booster. Finally, last week, Rocket Lab revealed…