Rocket Lab · United States · First flight 2026 · Reusable first stage
Rocket Lab's medium-lift reusable launch vehicle, targeting the mega-constellation deployment market. Features a unique "Hungry Hippo" fairing design integrated into the first stage, Archimedes methalox engines, and propulsive landing capability. Maiden flight expected in 2026 from Wallops Island, Virginia.
From SpaceNexus's launch tracker (tracked since Dec 31, 2026); outcomes recorded as each flight lands. Career totals above are the vehicle's full history.
| Height | 43 m |
| Diameter | 7 m |
| Liftoff mass | 480,000 kg |
| Stages | 2 |
| Engines | 9x Archimedes + 1x Archimedes Vacuum |
| Propellant | CH4 / LOX (Methalox) |
| Fairing diameter | 5 m |
| Payload to LEO | 13,000 kg |
| Payload to GTO | 1,500 kg |
| Payload to SSO | — |
| Payload to TLI | — |
| Reusable | Yes (first stage) |
| First flight | 2026 (target) |
| Last flight | — |
| Variants seen on the manifest | Neutron |
A dedicated Neutron launch lists at roughly $50 million, about $3,846 per kilogram to low Earth orbit at full payload. Actual contract prices vary with orbit, integration and government requirements.
The next tracked Neutron launch is Maiden Flight on Dec 31, 2026, 00:00 UTC from Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA. Dates move; Mission Control carries the live countdown.
Neutron has flown 0 times with 0 successes, 0 failures and 0 partial failures — a 0% success rate.
13,000 kg to low Earth orbit, 1,500 kg to geostationary transfer orbit.