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Neutron
Mega Constellation Launcher
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
![neutron deploy front](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/ScaleHeightWyI4NTAiXQ/neutron-deploy-front.jpg)
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)
![neutron blue flame](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/ScaleHeightWyI4NTAiXQ/neutron-blue-flame.jpg)
![neutron deploy](/assets/Uploads/neutron-deploy.jpg)
Path to Lift-Off
Latest News
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![](themes/base/production/images/blog_placeholder.png)
![DSC 4503](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyIxMDQxIiwiNDk2Il0/DSC-4503.jpg)
![SSC 2012 01932H sm](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyIxMDQxIiwiNDk2Il0/SSC-2012-01932H-sm.jpg)
![Neutron Image 2 SkyExt New Logo web](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyIxMDQxIiwiNDk2Il0/Neutron-Image-2-SkyExt-New-Logo-web.jpg)
![Neutron Peter Beck](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyIxMDQxIiwiNDk2Il0/Neutron-Peter-Beck.jpg)
![Neutron Production Complex Ground Breaking 2 small](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyIxMDQxIiwiNDk2Il0/Neutron-Production-Complex-Ground-Breaking-2-small.jpg)
![Neutron Production Complex FINAL lo res](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyIxMDQxIiwiNDk2Il0/Neutron-Production-Complex-FINAL-lo-res.jpg)
![](themes/base/production/images/blog_placeholder.png)
![Neutron Hungry Hippo Fairing small](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyIxMDQxIiwiNDk2Il0/Neutron-Hungry-Hippo-Fairing-small.jpg)
Gallery
![Stage 2 tank testing using cryogenic fill and pressure cycles to determine structural and sealing integrity and performance](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyI3ODAiLCI0NzAiXQ/MicrosoftTeams-image-206-small.jpg)
![Stage 2 qualification tank](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyI3ODAiLCI0NzAiXQ/web-edit.jpg)
![Rutherford vs Archimedes engine size](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyI3ODAiLCI0NzAiXQ/Rutherford-and-Archimedes-web.jpg)
![Archimedes engine development](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyI3ODAiLCI0NzAiXQ/Archimedes-web.jpg)
![Neutron stage 2 development tank](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyI3ODAiLCI0NzAiXQ/2S4A4502-Edit-web.jpg)
![Stage 2 cryogenic test stand](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyI3ODAiLCI0NzAiXQ/S2TestStand-Cryo-7-web.jpg)
![Neutron vs Electron common bulkhead](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyI3ODAiLCI0NzAiXQ/2S4A4381-Small.jpg)
![Neutron in flight](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyI3ODAiLCI0NzAiXQ/Neutron-Large-Sat-Deploy-Artwork-small2.jpg)
![Neutron in flight](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyI3ODAiLCI0NzAiXQ/Neutron-Flight-Artwork-2000x901.jpg)
![Neutron](/assets/Uploads/_resampled/FillWyI3ODAiLCI0NzAiXQ/Neutron-Launchpad-Artwork-small3.jpg)
Where we're building,
testing and launching Neutron.
Neutron Production Complex
Located within the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, the Neutron Production Complex is home to rocket production, assembly, and integration. The 250,000 square foot state-of-the-art complex will be constructed on a 28-acre site adjacent to the Wallops Island Flight Facility and will include a Launch Control Center for launch activities and on-orbit operations. This complex is supported by Archimedes engine production at Rocket Lab’s Headquarters and Production Complex in Long Beach, California.
![Rocket Lab LC 2 web](/assets/Uploads/Rocket-Lab-LC-2-web.jpg)
Archimedes Engine Test Complex
The Archimedes Test Complex is located across a 1 million square foot area at NASA’s Stennis Space Center and includes use and development of existing infrastructure of the A-3 Test Stand to develop and test Neutron’s Archimedes engines.
![archimedes engine complex](/assets/Uploads/archimedes-engine-complex.jpg)
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 launch site](/assets/Uploads/neutron-launch-site.jpg)
![neutron standing2](/assets/Uploads/neutron-standing2.png)