Rocket Lab's Neutron slips to 2026: 'Our aim is to make it to orbit on the first try'

Aerospace manufacturer and launch service provider Rocket Lab has confirmed what many have long suspected: its "Hungry Hippo" Neutron rocket won't be hitting the launchpad until 2026 at the earliest. Rocket Lab Neutron rocket releasing a payload above the Earth (pic: Rocket Lab) Hungry Hippo Neutron (pic: Rocket Lab) The …

[tony72]

Ironic

It's ironic that vehicles designed to travel so very quickly, always make their way through their development phase more slowly than anyone thinks possible.

[TVU]

Re: Ironic

Yes, when it comes to rocketry and satellites, things can go unexpectedly pear shaped because of sheer number and complexity of the components.

As for the other Hungry Hippo venture, that game is still around today.

[that one in the corner]

Re: Ironic

Which is why I still hold out hope for the SABRE engine: when it is finally flying it'll go really fast, like, um, like a rocket - but a super neat one!

[NetMage]

Re: Ironic

It might be a long wait as they went into administration and SABRE is no longer under development.

[that one in the corner]

Re: Ironic

Reaction Engines slid away in November 2024.

But I was sure I read a piece about another company having bought out the SABRE design and wanting to continue it.

Of course, having said that, I can't find the reference...

But one can always keep fingers crossed.

[goblinski]

Re: Ironic

I would very much prefer to travel in a fast rocket designed slowly than in a slow one designed quickly

[Anonymous Coward]

"You made a mistake, my friend. No astronaut would enter the capsule carrying his air conditioner."

[that one in the corner]

On that subject, does this modern version have a properly rousing score by John Barry and, of course, a proper volcano lair cum launch site?

[Excused Boots]

Alas probably no volcano, and even worse maybe Peter Beck doesn’t like white Persian cats!

Although the post you have replied to has one downvote - possibly someone who simply didn’t get the reference. I always think, ‘if in doubt - don’t vote at all!'

[Red Ted]

Angry Alligator

The Spectre rocket was in turn inspired by images of the "Angry Alligator" that Gemini IX was meant to dock with but the conical nosecone shroud hadn't separated, so they couldn't.

Gemini IX Crew Found ‘Angry Alligator’ in Earth Orbit

The crew did suggest trying to knock it off, but that was deemed to risky!

[Charlie Clark]

Impressive engineering without burning money

Two years late would be very impressive and we should welcome the engineering first approach and the discipline this brings. Don't really need to compare it with Ariane 6, but it's a nice swipe at Musk who cheers every launch even the spectacular failures as learning opportunities.

Yes, there will be failures and you need to learn from them, but the aim should be to avoid them. The financials are already impressive for a company that is not reliant on feeding from the teet of government contracts.

[Oneman2Many]

Re: Impressive engineering without burning money

They have plenty of government contracts both US and UK

[Like a badger]

Re: Impressive engineering without burning money

"Impressive engineering without burning money "

So you say, but that render is clearly the new Dyson hair styler, not a space vehicle.

[phuzz]

Re: Impressive engineering without burning money

The financials are already impressive for a company that is not reliant on feeding from the teat of government contracts.

They all rely on government contracts to stay afloat, even Rocket Lab.

(Although most SpaceX launches these days are for StarLink, so if that was a separate company paying full price for their launches, they might be able to get by without the government money)

[TeeCee]

Hmm. Looking at that..

Rocket Lab's boss, Peter Beck...

You are Hugo Drax in disguise and ICMFP!

[Vulch]

Re: Hmm. Looking at that..

Nah, he's got a five letter first name. There's a much closer disguised 4-4 who has already been dropping bits of rockets on people...

[Excused Boots]

Re: Hmm. Looking at that..

Oh, oh I know....

Jeff Bezos.

Oh bugger, that doesn’t work either. Sorry move along, nothing to see here.

https://imgflip.com/i/6uoble

[Oneman2Many]

Should be interesting, once in regular cadence, launch cost is projected to be around $50m to $55m for 13ton to LEO vs around $65m to $70m for 16ton on a F9.

[Charlie Clark]

To be honest, and much as I admire RocketLabs, I'd take such projections with the same pinch of salt that I do product launch dates. But competition for this kind of commercial launch service that is not cross-subsidised by DoD contracts, is very welcome indeed. But I also love the technology!

[Juha Meriluoto]

Looks definitely like something out of a Bond movie...

[David 132]

Actually from the lead photo I was thinking it looks like my wife’s electric hair curler!

[Aladdin Sane]

Is that what she tells you it is?

[Lazlo Woodbine]

Yep, definitely a whiff of You Only Live Twice

https://007store.com/cdn/shop/files/007_bird_one_1_2048x.jpg?v=1693821679

[xyz]

hate to be the pedant but ..

lbf? Last boyfriend, last before first? Will the thing be carrying bushels of corn and rivets?

[Aladdin Sane]

Re: hate to be the pedant but ..

At least use the pedant icon.

[Charlie Clark]

Re: hate to be the pedant but ..

There's always one…

[Zack Mollusc]

More broken promises!!!!!!!!!!!!

More delays and excuses from this CONMAN!!!!!

Trillions of taxpayer DOLLARS WASTED on this grifter!!! HYPERLOOP FAIL!!! SELFDRIVING FAIL!!! It is BEYOND BELIEF that...

What?

Neutron?

Really?

Oh, I thought you said Elon.

Sorry.

Good luck to the Rocket Labs team. Space is difficult. Looking forward to seeing it launch whenever it is ready.

[Oneman2Many]

Re: More broken promises!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where is Elon being government funded ?

[Flocke Kroes]

Re: SpaceX government funding

There are a bunch of recent articles saying SpaceX got billions in government funding and paid no tax. SpaceX did get billions in government contracts and I would be shocked if they paid a significant amount of tax. Several bits of information get forgotten, like the government got a large number of launches for their money. ULA used to have a monopoly and used to charge accordingly. SpaceX ended the monopoly and offered cheap launch. Together those saved tax payers $40B in just military launches up to 2022. If we are going to talk about living off the government teat SLS demonstrates just how bad SpaceX are at doing it. Starliner bearly shows up in comparison but I wonder what Roscosmos or China would charge for access to the ISS if there wasn't an alternative.

Tesla has done really well out of government subsidies. I found £200M from the UK between 2011 and 2022. I think that has come to an end. The biggest number I could find was $41B for total US Tesla subsidies up to 2032. I cannot imagine the current regime paying out as promised.

Hyperloop is a shoddy disaster. Musk funded the infrastructure which some other companies used to rent out for fleecing investors. I did find $1.2E12 and Hyperloop in the same headline. Only a tiny fraction of that money will be wasted on Hyperloop companies (Hyperloop TT and Virgin Hyperloop). I have yet to find Musk raking in substantial amounts of cash from this rubbish.

I assumed the OP is conflating Hyperloop with the Boring Company. Las Vegas is probably losing money on it but mostly I find links to under utilisation and inconvenience when trying to use it. I did find $8B, but I think this is just Musk trying to block a railway tunnel so people have to drive cars instead.

For trillions of dollars I would look at the damage done by DOGE and Musk's efforts at installing the Trump regime rather than subsidies.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: More broken promises!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wasted money would indicate that government didn't get any services in return for their payment. I'm pretty certain that SpaceX provides services in return for the billions the government gives them.

Same with tax breaks for Tesla which BTW are available to all car makers and governments decision to boost electric car sales.

I don't remember government paying for self driving ?

[Diez66]

Hit the Launchpad

Probably best if it doesn't.

:-)

[headrush]

Hungry hippo? I would have expected the rocket to be retrieving satellites not launching them. Maybe a vomiting hippo would be more apt.

[Ascendino Santos Souza]

Rocket Lab’s most ambitious move

The postponement of Rocket Lab’s Neutron rocket launch to 2026, while disappointing for many aerospace enthusiasts, is not uncommon in technological projects of this magnitude. Developing a large rocket that meets rigorous safety, efficiency, and performance standards requires time, adaptation, and a careful response to technical challenges that arise along the way. Neutron represents an ambitious step by Rocket Lab to expand its capacity to launch larger payloads and serve a wider range of customers, from communication satellites to scientific missions.

While this news is generating excitement among enthusiasts and investors, this delay demonstrates the company’s commitment to ensuring safety, effectiveness, and innovation in the project. Rocket Lab has established itself as a major player in the space launch market, and this additional time could mean significant improvements in the performance of Neutron, which promises to be a crucial vehicle for commercial and scientific missions in the near future.

This delay demonstrates the company’s commitment to not sacrificing quality and reliability for the sake of speed, which is fundamental to maintaining market confidence and ensuring the long-term success of space operations. Furthermore, the additional time can be used to incorporate technological advancements and conduct rigorous testing to minimize risks during launch. In a highly competitive sector, with players like SpaceX and Blue Origin vying for space and contracts, Rocket Lab is betting on the robustness and innovation of the Neutron to position itself as a major player in the global space launch market.

Finally, while the postponement may have some temporary impact on the schedules of clients and investors, it is a sensible decision that prioritizes safety and technical excellence, essential pillars for sustainable growth and the advancement of commercial space capabilities. Expectations for the Neutron’s debut in 2026 remain high, and this additional period should result in a more reliable rocket, better prepared to propel the future of increasingly complex and ambitious missions.

REFERENCE

Richard Speed. Rocket Lab’s Neutron slips to 2026: ‘Our aim is to make it to orbit on the first try’. https://www.theregister.com/2025/11/11/rocket_labs_neutron_slips_2026/