Rocket Lab has delayed the first flight of its partially reusable Neutron rocket to 2027 after discovering voids in carbon-fibre propellant domes during manufacturing.
01Summary
- 01Rocket Lab postponed Neutron's debut from late 2026 to 2027 due to voids in carbon-fibre propellant domes.
- 02CEO Peter Beck said the company found defects in a forward dome after curing, but a new process has produced the highest quality dome to date.
- 03A new forward dome will be built and cured by the end of 2024, with first-stage assembly and testing expected in the first quarter of 2027.
- 04Neutron, announced in 2021, was originally slated for 2024 and has been delayed multiple times, notably after a fuel-tank rupture in testing.
02Why it matters
This matters because Neutron is designed to compete in the medium-lift launch market, and delays affect Rocket Lab's ability to secure contracts and meet customer timelines.
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