Rocket Lab’s Neutron Rocket On-Ramped to U.S. Space Force’s $5.6b National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program
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Neutron
Mega Constellation Launcher
13,000 Kilograms To LEO
1,500 Kilograms To Mars/Venus
Reusable Launch Again And Again
Your mission, your way
Reliable and cost-effective launch services for constellation deployment,
cargo resupply, interplanetary missions.
Overview
- Height
- 43 m / 141 ft
- Diameter
- 7m
- Fairing Diameter
- 5m
- Payload To LEO
- 13,000 kg
- Lift Off Mass
- 480,000 kg
- Propellant
- LOX / Methane
Features
- Designed for mega constellation deployment, deep space missions, and human spaceflight
- Efficient reusability - return to launch site
- Captive fairing design allows for fully reusable first stage
and fairing - Lightweight specially formulated Rocket Lab carbon composite structure
Performance
Neutron will feature the new Archimedes Engine
First Stage
- 9 Archimedes Engines
- Lox/Methane Oxidizer Rich Closed Cycle
- Total Lift-off Thrust: 1,485,000 lbf
Second Stage
- Single Vacuum Archimedes Engine
- Lox/Methane Oxidizer Rich Closed Cycle
- Vacuum Thrust: 890 kN (200,000 lbf)
Path to Lift-Off
2023
2024
2025
Stage 2 Build Begins
First full-scale carbon composite tank built using advanced manufacturing methods
Structural and Cryogenic Testing
Neutron’s carbon composite second stage completes a barrage of structural tests in preparation for flight.
Archimedes Engine Build
First Archimedes development engine completed.
Hardware-in-the-Loop Flight to Orbit
Testing of all avionics and communications devices with critical onboard software and GNC algorithms.
First Archimedes Engine Hot Fire
Archimedes to breathe fire at Rocket Lab’s Stennis Test Complex within NASA Stennis Space Center.
Stage 1 Build Begins
Full-scale carbon composite Stage 1 tank being built using advanced manufacturing methods.
Stage 2 Build Begins
Full-scale carbon composite Stage 2 tank being built using advanced manufacturing methods.
AFP Machine
The world's largest AFP
machine of its kind is
commissioned ahead
of its first full scale
prints of Neutron
structures.
machine of its kind is
commissioned ahead
of its first full scale
prints of Neutron
structures.
Stage 2 Qualification
Qualification of Stage 2's structure and systems complete. Stage 2 now ready for flight.
Flight Mechanisms Test Program
Testing of critical flight mechanisms including separation systems, fairing actuation, control surfaces and actuators.
Engine Qualification
Archimedes engine now ready for flight.
Stage 1 Qualification
Qualification of Stage 1's structure and systems complete. Stage 1 now ready for flight.
Launch Complex 3 Construction Complete
Construction on Neutron’s launch site in Virginia is complete.
Regulatory Approval for Launch
Neutron receives regulatory approval to fly from Launch Complex 3.
Stage 2 Static Fire
Hot fire exercising the Archimedes engine and all second stage systems. Testing like we would fly.
Stage 1 Static Fire
Hot fire exercising the cluster of 9 x Archimedes engine and all first stage systems. Testing like we would fly.
Vehicle Integration
Full flight vehicle complete and ready for flight.
Wet Dress Rehearsal
Final launch rehearsal exercising the launch vehicle and launch team.
LAUNCH
Neutron will take to the skies, ushering in a new era of space access.
Latest News
Rocket Lab’s Neutron Rocket On-Ramped to U.S. Space Force’s $5.6b National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program
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Rocket Lab Reveals Ocean Platform for Neutron Rocket Landings at Sea
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Rocket Lab Selected by NASA to Provide Neutron Launch Services Under VADR Launch Contract
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Rocket Lab Granted Air Force Research Lab Award to Showcase Digital Engineering with New Archimedes Rocket Engine
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Rocket Lab Signs Multi-Launch Contract for Neutron with Confidential Commercial Satellite Constellation Operator
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Rocket Lab Completes Successful First Hot Fire of Archimedes Engine for Neutron Rocket
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Rocket Lab Begins Installation of Large Carbon Composite Rocket-Building Machine
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Rocket Lab Completes Archimedes Engine Build, Begins Engine Test Campaign
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Rocket Lab to Establish Space Structures Complex in Baltimore County to Supply Advanced Composite Products Internally and to Broader Space Industry
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From sea to skies, Rocket Lab acquires SailGP Technologies facilities and team in Warkworth, New Zealand
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Rocket Lab Opens Engine Development Center in Long Beach
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Rocket Lab Bolsters Neutron Rocket Program with Purchase of Virgin Orbit Long Beach California Assets
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Rocket Lab Opens Archimedes Engine Test Stand at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi
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Rocket Lab Selects NASA Stennis Space Center For Neutron Engine Test Facility
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Rocket Lab Signs Agreement with USTRANSCOM to Explore Using Neutron and Electron Rockets to Deliver Cargo Around the World
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Rocket Lab Wins $24m U.S. Space Force Contract to Develop Neutron Upper Stage
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Rocket Lab Breaks Ground on Neutron Production Complex in Wallops, Virginia
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Rocket Lab Selects Virginia for Neutron Launch Site & Extensive Manufacturing Complex
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Rocket Lab Hosts Investor Day and Neutron Development Update
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Rocket Lab Reveals Neutron Launch Vehicle’s Advanced Architecture
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Gallery
Neutron's Archimedes rocket engine at 102% power.
Neutron's Archimedes rocket engine at 102% power.
The Archimedes Test Complex at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi
The Archimedes Test Complex at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi
Neutron's Archimedes rocket engine on the test stand at the Archimedes Test Complex at NASA’s historic Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
Neutron's Archimedes rocket engine on the test stand at the Archimedes Test Complex at NASA’s historic Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
Neutron's Archimedes engine and Electron's Rutherford engine.
Neutron's Archimedes engine and Electron's Rutherford engine.
Completed assembly of Neutron's Archimedes rocket engine
Completed assembly of Neutron's Archimedes rocket engine
One half of Neutron's carbon composite fairing structure.
One half of Neutron's carbon composite fairing structure.
Rocket Lab's newest AFP machine to enable automated production of Neutron structures & tanks - the largest carbon composite rocket structures in history
Rocket Lab's newest AFP machine to enable automated production of Neutron structures & tanks - the largest carbon composite rocket structures in history
A fixed fairing carbon composite panel for Neutron completes production.
A fixed fairing carbon composite panel for Neutron completes production.
Rocket Lab's Neutron launch site under construction in Virginia, with its Assembly and Integration Complex for the rocket in the background
Rocket Lab's Neutron launch site under construction in Virginia, with its Assembly and Integration Complex for the rocket in the background
Installation of the water tank for Neutron's launch site at MARS within NASA Wallops' Flight Facility in Virginia
Installation of the water tank for Neutron's launch site at MARS within NASA Wallops' Flight Facility in Virginia
Stage 2 tank testing using cryogenic fill and pressure cycles to determine structural and sealing integrity and performance
Stage 2 tank testing using cryogenic fill and pressure cycles to determine structural and sealing integrity and performance
Stage 2 qualification tank
Stage 2 qualification tank
Neutron vs Electron common bulkhead
Neutron vs Electron common bulkhead
Neutron stage 2 development tank
Neutron stage 2 development tank
Neutron in flight
Neutron in flight
Stage 2 cryogenic test stand
Stage 2 cryogenic test stand
Neutron in flight
Neutron in flight
Neutron
Neutron
Where we're building,
testing and launching Neutron.
Archimedes Engine Test Complex
The Archimedes Test Complex is the location for testing of Neutron's reusable Archimedes engine, located at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
Engine Development Complex
Rocket Lab's Engine Development Complex is located in Long Beach, California. The 144,000+ square foot site supports the development and production of the Archimedes engine for Neutron, as well as the high-rate production of Rocket Lab's Rutherford engine for its Electron launch vehicle.
Launch Site
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 3 is the dedicated launch site for Neutron. It’s located at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Neutron’s pad is adjacent to the existing Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2, the U.S. launch site for Electron. As a reusable rocket, Neutron’s first stage can support return to launch site and downrange landing options, before return to Launch Complex 3 for refurbishment and reflight.
Neutron Assembly & Integration Complex
Located within the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, the Assembly & Integration Complex for the Neutron rocket is where Neutron will take shape before making its way to the launch site on Wallops Island, Virginia. Neutron first stages that return to Earth after launch will also be transported to and housed within the Assembly and Integration Complex to be readied for continued flight operations.
Space Structures Complex
Rocket Lab's Space Structures Complex in Middle River, Maryland, supports the automated production of all large composite structures of the Neutron launch vehicle including the panels that make up the 91 ft (28 meter) length interstage and fairing, 22.9 ft (7 meter) diameter first stage, and the 16.4 ft (5 meter) diameter second stage tank. The site is home to the world's largest AFP machine of its kind, a 90-tonne autonomous machine expected to save around 150,000 manufacturing hours in the Neutron rocket's production process.
