Neutron

NEXT-GENERATION LAUNCH CHALLENGER

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
Neutron Stack Deploy Artwork med

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)
hotfire1

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.
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.
Fairing Qualification
Neutron's innovative Hungry Hippo captive fairing is now ready for flight.
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.
Vehicle Integration
Full flight vehicle complete and ready for flight.
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.
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

FINAL Neutron Landing Platform 'Return On Investment'.jpg SMLRocket Lab Selects Bollinger Shipyards to Support Modification of Neutron Landing PlatformRead moreQ1 2025 Financial NeutronRocket Lab Partners With U.S. Air Force for Neutron Launch for Re-Entry MissionRead moreRL Neutron NSSL 4Rocket Lab’s Neutron Rocket On-Ramped to U.S. Space Force’s $5.6b National Security Space Launch (NSSL) programRead moreFINAL Neutron Landing Platform Return On Investment.jpg SMLRocket Lab Reveals Ocean Platform for Neutron Rocket Landings at SeaRead moreNeutron Flight Artwork small4Rocket Lab Selected by NASA to Provide Neutron Launch Services Under VADR Launch ContractRead moreRocket Lab Granted Air Force Research Lab Award to Showcase Digital Engineering with New Archimedes Rocket EngineRead moreNeutron Stack Deploy Artwork small2Rocket Lab Signs Multi-Launch Contract for Neutron with Confidential Commercial Satellite Constellation OperatorRead moreArchimedes Engine Hot Fire web2Rocket Lab Completes Successful First Hot Fire of Archimedes Engine for Neutron RocketRead moreRocket Labs rocket building robot.jpg smlRocket Lab Begins Installation of Large Carbon Composite Rocket-Building MachineRead moreArchimedes engine assembly BLUR.jpg SMLRocket Lab Completes Archimedes Engine Build, Begins Engine Test CampaignRead moreRocket Lab Space Structures Complex Middle RiverRocket Lab to Establish Space Structures Complex in Baltimore County to Supply Advanced Composite Products Internally and to Broader Space IndustryRead moreWCCFrom sea to skies, Rocket Lab acquires SailGP Technologies facilities and team in Warkworth, New ZealandRead moreWEB Long Beach Councilwoman Megan Kerr Rocket Lab CFO Adam Spice Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson California State Senator Lena Gonzalez Credit Austin AdamsRocket Lab Opens Engine Development Center in Long BeachRead moreRocket Lab Bolsters Neutron Rocket Program with Purchase of Virgin Orbit Long Beach California AssetsRead moreDSC 4503Rocket Lab Opens Archimedes Engine Test Stand at Stennis Space Center in MississippiRead moreSSC 2012 01932H smRocket Lab Selects NASA Stennis Space Center For Neutron Engine Test FacilityRead moreNeutron Image 2 SkyExt New Logo webRocket Lab Signs Agreement with USTRANSCOM to Explore Using Neutron and Electron Rockets to Deliver Cargo Around the WorldRead moreNeutron Peter BeckRocket Lab Wins $24m U.S. Space Force Contract to Develop Neutron Upper StageRead moreNeutron Production Complex Ground Breaking 2 smallRocket Lab Breaks Ground on Neutron Production Complex in Wallops, VirginiaRead moreNeutron Production Complex FINAL lo resRocket Lab Selects Virginia for Neutron Launch Site & Extensive Manufacturing ComplexRead moreRocket Lab Hosts Investor Day and Neutron Development UpdateRead moreNeutron Hungry Hippo Fairing smallRocket Lab Reveals Neutron Launch Vehicle’s Advanced ArchitectureRead more

Gallery

Archimedes rocket engine
Archimedes rocket engine
Archimedes rocket engine
Artist's impression: Neutron landing platform named "Return On Investment"
Artist's impression: Neutron landing platform named "Return On Investment"
Artist's impression: Neutron landing platform named "Return On Investment"
Large scale carbon composite structures for Neutron
Large scale carbon composite structures for Neutron
Large scale carbon composite structures for Neutron
Neutron test operations across propulsion and stage testing
Neutron test operations across propulsion and stage testing
Neutron test operations across propulsion and stage testing
Neutron Stage 2 cryogenic testing
Neutron Stage 2 cryogenic testing
Neutron Stage 2 cryogenic testing
Rocket Lab's 90 tonne AFP machine for automated production of large carbon composite structures
Rocket Lab's 90 tonne AFP machine for automated production of large carbon composite structures
Rocket Lab's 90 tonne AFP machine for automated production of large carbon composite structures
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 3 on Wallops Island, Virginia
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 3 on Wallops Island, Virginia
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 3 on Wallops Island, Virginia
Neutron's fairing, including the fixed fairing and Hungry Hippo
Neutron's fairing, including the fixed fairing and Hungry Hippo
Neutron's fairing, including the fixed fairing and Hungry Hippo
Neutron's fairing, including the fixed fairing and Hungry Hippo
Neutron's fairing, including the fixed fairing and Hungry Hippo
Neutron's fairing, including the fixed fairing and Hungry Hippo
The Archimedes Test Complex at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi
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 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.
Neutron's Archimedes engine and Electron's Rutherford engine.
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
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.
A fixed fairing carbon composite panel for Neutron completes production.
Neutron in flight
Neutron in flight
Neutron in flight
Neutron in flight
Neutron in flight
Neutron in flight
Neutron
Neutron
Neutron

Download more images and videos from our Flickr page -flickr.com/photos/rocketlab

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.

P5060075.jpg SML

Engine Development Complex

Rocket Lab's Engine Development Complex is located in Long Beach, California. The144,000+ 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.

 

Rocket Lab Engine Development Center Credit Austin Adams.jpg sml

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.

LC 3 pad with AIC buildings in the background2.jpg sml

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. 

the Assembly Integration Complex sml

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.

Rocket Lab SSC Middle River