Long Beach, California — Rocket Lab USA, Inc. announced plans to launch its Neutron rocket in support of a U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory mission designed to enhance global defense logistics. This mission marks a significant step forward in commercial launch capabilities, aiming to establish a point-to-point cargo transportation system. The launch is scheduled for no earlier than 2026.
The Neutron rocket will facilitate a survivability experiment under the Air Force’s Rocket Experimentation for Global Agile Logistics (REGAL) initiative. This effort is part of a broader Department of Defense goal to create a rapid cargo delivery system using commercial launch services. Neutron’s involvement in this project underscores its potential as a future player in defense logistics, with an emphasis on quick and efficient cargo transport.
Rocket Lab’s Neutron is designed as a medium-lift reusable vehicle, capable of delivering up to 13,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit. This versatility allows it to support diverse missions, including national security projects and scientific endeavors. The company envisions Neutron as a vital tool for both government and commercial customers, providing a cost-effective alternative within the medium-launch market.
Sir Peter Beck, founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, emphasized the significance of Neutron for the U.S. military, stating that it establishes a new standard for launch performance while demonstrating the Department of Defense’s confidence in the rocket’s capabilities. Beck highlighted the excitement surrounding Neutron’s inaugural flight, set to occur this year.
Currently, Rocket Lab is making strides with the rocket’s launch pad at Wallops Island, Virginia, with completion expected soon. Production activity is underway across multiple facilities in the U.S., reflecting the company’s commitment to expedite the launch of Neutron, which remains on track for its debut in the latter half of 2025.
Neutron incorporates advanced design elements, including carbon composite structures and an innovative upper stage aimed at facilitating complex satellite deployments. Its configuration ensures the rocket’s first stage, along with the payload fairings, can return to Earth as a single unit, enhancing overall efficiency. Engineered with nine Archimedes engines on the first stage and a vacuum-optimized engine for the second, Neutron is positioned to capitalize on upcoming government and commercial launch opportunities.
Since its founding in 2006, Rocket Lab has developed a robust portfolio of launch services and satellite solutions, aiming to simplify access to space. The company, headquartered in Long Beach, operates the well-established Electron rocket, which has completed over 63 launches and delivered numerous satellites into orbit. With three launch sites, including two in New Zealand and one in Virginia, Rocket Lab has positioned itself as a reliable partner for both public and private sector space endeavors.
As Rocket Lab prepares for Neutron’s transformative journey into the launch services market, the company is committed to supporting future exploration and national security missions, setting the stage for an exciting evolution in aerospace.