Neutron
In DevelopmentRocket 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.
Launch price
~$50M
~$3,846/kg to LEO
Payload to LEO
13,000 kg
1,500 kg to GTO
Career record
No counted launches yet
as of 2026-09-01
Next launch
NET 2027
NZSA Venus Mission
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Subscribe in your calendar (every Neutron launch): Apple or OutlookGoogleDownload .icsCalendar entries move when launch times move. A launch known only to the month appears once it has a day.
More launch calendarsLaunch activity, live
From SpaceNexus's launch tracker (tracked since Dec 31, 2027); outcomes recorded as each flight lands. Career totals above are the vehicle's full history.
Last 90 days
0
launches flown
Tracked flights
0
0 success · 0 partial · 0 failed
Tracked success rate
–
full successes / attempts; partial failures are not successes
On the manifest
3
upcoming launches
Upcoming
Specifications
| 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 |
Frequently asked
How much does a Neutron launch cost?
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.
When is the next Neutron launch?
The next tracked Neutron launch is NZSA Venus Mission, NET 2027 from Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA. Dates move; Mission Control carries the live countdown.
How reliable is Neutron?
Neutron has no counted launches yet as of 2026-09-01, so it has no career success rate. The tracked flights below come from SpaceNexus's launch tracker.
How much can Neutron carry?
13,000 kg to low Earth orbit, 1,500 kg to geostationary transfer orbit.
Status
developmentas of 2026-09-06
Rocket Lab's reusable medium-lift rocket, ~13,000 kg to LEO; first flight targeted late 2026.
Next: First flight. A manifest date on the tracker moves this to flying.
Sources: Rocket Lab investor updates
Public commitments
On the Promise Ledger: 1 entry: 1 revised. Exact words, primary sources, deadlines and outcomes.
What the statuses mean
- Revised:
- the date or quantity was moved before it came due.
The whole Promise Ledger · same rules for everyone, how entries are scored