Rocket Lab confirms plans for first test launch of Neutron rocket in 2026

The American company Rocket Lab has confirmed plans for the first test launch of a reusable Neutron rocket by the end of 2026. NSF writes about this.

The portal notes that the company recently completed testing and integration of key systems for the head fairing of a prototype carrier, dubbed Hungry Hippo (“Hungry Hippo”), and also conducted hundreds of tests on the Archimedes engine. According to the publication, Rocket Lab has several contracts to launch satellites on the Neutron rocket, including with the US Space Force.

NSF notes that the new launch vehicle's fairing is permanently attached to its first stage and deploys during flight before detaching the second, completely eliminating the need for a separate catch for the fairing that lands with the first stage.

The publication writes that the company manufactures rocket stages and fairings from carbon fiber-based composite materials. Rocket Lab produces large composite structures using its own 90-ton automated fiber layup machine.

In June, the SpaceNews portal reported that Rocket Lab would buy satellite operator Iridium.