Rocket Lab achieves multiple milestones in Neutron development

Date:
Sat, 17 May 2025 21:33:08 +0000

Description:
Rocket Lab is making rapid progress in its quest to get its medium-lift launcher, Neutron, The post Rocket Lab achieves multiple milestones in
Neutron development appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com .

FULL STORY ======================================================================

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 at Wallops Island in Virginia is under continuous development. With all this underway, there is much to look forward to in the programs near future.



Staging qualifications

Neutron already has its two main sections assembled for testing. Rocket Lab qualified the second stage in early April by applying 1.3 million pounds of tensile force to the carbon composite structure. These tests conducted pressurization and proof testing at 125% of the maximum operating pressure
and mechanical loads. Flight-like operations were also performed that integrated the flight software, avionics, GNC systems, and more in cryogenic conditions to ensure that everything operated as expected. Milestone reached on the road to Neutron's first launch Stage 2 qualification is now complete, proving out the stage's design, operations, and readiness for flight. pic.twitter.com/oRksmHr94T

Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) April 1, 2025



The first stage has also recently undergone a rigorous testing campaign to qualify the outer shell for flight. Since Neutron features reusable and permanently attached fairings on the first stage, they were tested along with the canards and the extended interstage of the vehicle.

Rocket Lab noted that the interstage contains some of the most complex mechanical systems on the entire vehicle, so with these qualifications complete, the rocket is increasingly closer to becoming flight-ready. The company also noted that the first stage will head to Wallops Island on the east coast in the near future, to be integrated into the vehicles first
stage. Pointy end up Testing is underway and close to completing qualification.

This Neutron assembly represents the top of Stage 1 and includes the hungry hippo reusable fairing, canards, and the extended interstage with some of the most complex mechanical systems that exist on the pic.twitter.com/Mxv9h6XPUm

Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) May 9, 2025



Contracts are now being awarded to Rocket Lab for the Neutron rocket, signaling confidence that it will be operational in the near future. Earlier this year, Neutron was selected for onboarding into the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 program.

This allows Rocket Lab to compete for missions using Neutron on contracts worth up to $5.6 billion in potential funding over a five-year period.
Because Neutron is a brand-new rocket, Rocket Lab will likely receive around $100 million. However, this program is specifically designed for newer vehicles such as Neutron, targeting higher-risk missions with less sensitive payloads.

Rocket Lab has also signed a contract with a confidential commercial satellite constellation operator to launch two missions using Neutron. These will likely be the first test flights with this unknown provider. If all goes well, there is a strong chance that Rocket Lab could secure many more contracts to deploy this constellation into low-Earth orbit. Weve signed a launch contract on Neutron with the @AFResearchLab to test point-to-point global cargo delivery.

AFRLs payload will be launched on Neutron and return to Earth in a demonstration of re-entry capability for future missions.

Launching NET 2026. Full details: pic.twitter.com/GtZDtOuTWn

Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) May 8, 2025



See Also Neutron Development Updates Rocket Lab Forum Section NSF Store
Click here to Join L2

The most recent contract awarded to Rocket Lab for Neutron has come from the Air Force Research Lab. This contract focuses explicitly on point-to-point cargo delivery. It will likely involve Neutron launching without a second stage and utilizing its first stage to enter a suborbital trajectory, where
it will land in other parts of the world that require those supplies.

This mission is scheduled for 2026, which is ambitious since Rocket Lab
would already need to have reusability figured out for this type of transportation to function effectively. If the company succeeds, it could create an entirely new industry within the aerospace sector.

Launch Complex 3

Significant work is underway on Launch Complex-3 (LC-3) at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) in Virginia to prepare it for multiple launches of Neutron. For a brand new pad, LC-3 has been developing at a remarkable pace. LC-3 already has the launch platform for Neutron completed with an
operational water deluge ready to take the brunt of the force from nine of Rocket Labs in-house Archimedes engines. Rocket Lab has announced that the launch site is preparing to officially open soon. LC-3 pad activation
underway and launch site opening soon. pic.twitter.com/nCmkBs2HBa

Peter Beck (@Peter_J_Beck) May 8, 2025



Rocket Lab has already managed Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) at MARS for flights
of its Electron rocket since 2018. The first launch of Electron from LC-2 occurred in 2023, nearly five years after the development of the site began.

The company announced in 2022 that Neutron would receive its own launch site at MARS. If the expected 2026 flight date materializes, Rocket Lab will be at least a year ahead of where Electron was at a comparable stage all while developing Neutron throughout this period.

Rocket Lab recently unveiled its droneship, Return on Investment a 122 m modified barge on which Neutron will land its first stage downrange in the Atlantic Ocean. Construction has likely already begun, and it is expected to be in service as early as 2026. This ocean platform will give Rocket Lab flexibility to land and recover Neutron either at sea or back at the launch site. Meet Return On Investment, Neutrons 400ft landing vessel. Its currently undergoing customization to support return to Earth missions.

Neutron is scheduled to debut this year, with Return On Investment expected
to enter service in 2026.

Learn more: https://t.co/1HDotS7AFh pic.twitter.com/8T1bHlf4uT

Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) February 27, 2025



Archimedes

Rocket Lab is keeping most details about its new oxidizer-rich staged combustion cycle engine, Archimedes, under wraps until it meets its designed specifications. No information has been released since August 2024, but
during this time, Rocket Lab successfully hot-fired the engine for the first time. This occurred at NASAs Stennis Space Center, where the engine reached 102 percent power and reached other key test objectives that were not disclosed.

Following the success of the Archimedes test campaign, Rocket Lab began full-scale production to build the 10 engines required for Neutrons inaugural flight. Things have been heating up at Stennis

The Archimedes engine development and qualification campaign continues to progress well with lots of hot fires taking the engine through various operating conditions and tweaks. pic.twitter.com/tZEj2NNRoH

Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) September 28, 2024



Neutron is becoming increasingly tangible with each passing day. From the testing and qualification of the vehicle and its Archimedes engines to the ongoing work at LC-3 and the contracts it is securing, every step forms part of Rocket Labs path toward its maiden flight. If all goes well, this rocket could launch as soon as the middle of this year.

(Lead image: Testing of Neutrons second stage. Credit: Rocket Lab)



The post Rocket Lab achieves multiple milestones in Neutron development appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com .



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2025/05/neutron-update-051625/


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Science News (1337:1/100)