Rocket Lab, a leading launch and space systems company, today revealed new
details about the next generation Neutron launch vehicle in a virtual event
streamed via Rocket Lab’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kwAPr5G6WA) at 8:00 am EST today.
Building on Rocket Lab’s proven experience developing the Electron launch
vehicle, the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually since
2019, the advanced 8-ton payload class Neutron launch vehicle is designed to
transform space access by delivering reliable and cost-effective launch
services for satellite mega-constellations, deep space missions and human
spaceflight. During today’s live streamed Neutron update, Rocket Lab founder
and CEO Peter Beck revealed new details about Neutron’s unique design,
materials, propulsion, and reusability architecture for the first time.
“Neutron is not a conventional rocket. It’s a new breed of launch vehicle
with reliability, reusability and cost reduction is hard baked into the
advanced design from day one. Neutron incorporates the best innovations of
the past and marries them with cutting edge technology and materials to
deliver a rocket for the future,” said Mr. Beck. “More than 80% of the
satellites to be launched in the next decade are expected to be
constellations, which have unique deployment needs that Neutron is the first
vehicle to address specifically. Like we did with Electron, rather than
starting with a traditional rocket design, we focused on our customers’
needs and worked back from there. The result is a rocket that is right-sized
for market demand and can launch fast, frequently and affordably.”
The World’s First Carbon Composite Medium-Class Launch Vehicle:
Neutron will be the world’s first carbon composite large launch vehicle.
Rocket Lab pioneered the use of carbon composite for orbital rockets with
the Electron rocket, which has been delivering frequent and reliable access
to space for government and commercial small satellites since 2018.
Neutron’s structure will be comprised of a new, specially formulated carbon
composite material that is lightweight, strong and can withstand the immense
heat and forces of launch and re-entry again and again to enable frequent
re-flight of the first stage. To enable rapid manufacturability, Neutron’s
carbon composite structure will be made using an automated fiber placement
system which can build meters of carbon rocket shell in minutes.
A Unique Structure to Simplify Launch and Landing:
Reusability is key to enabling frequent and affordable launch, so the
ability to launch, land and lift-off again has been built into every aspect
of Neutron’s design from day one. It starts with Neutron’s unique shape, a
tapered rocket with a wide base to provide a robust, stable base for
landing, eliminating the need for complex mechanisms and landing legs. This
balanced structure also removes the need for bulky launch site
infrastructure, including strongbacks and launch towers. Neutron will
instead stand securely on its own legs for lift-off. After reaching space
and deploying Neutron’s second stage, the first stage will return to Earth
for a propulsive landing at the launch site, eliminating the high costs
associated with ocean-based landing platforms and operations.
A Rocket Engine Built for Reliability and Reuse:
Neutron will be powered by an entirely new rocket engine, Archimedes.
Designed and manufactured in-house by Rocket Lab, Archimedes is a reusable
liquid oxygen / methane gas generator cycle engine capable of 1 meganewton
thrust and 320 seconds of ISP. Seven Archimedes engines will propel
Neutron’s first stage, with a single vacuum optimized Archimedes engine on
the second stage. Neutron’s lightweight carbon composite structure means
Archimedes does not need the immense performance and complexity typically
associated with larger rockets and their propulsion systems. By developing a
simple engine with modest performance requirements, the timeline for
development and testing can be drastically accelerated.
Say Goodbye to Throwing Away Fairings:
What makes Neutron’s design especially unique is the captive ‘Hungry Hippo’
fairing design. This innovative design will see the fairing form part of the
first stage structure and remain fixed to the stage. Rather than separating
from the stage and falling away to the ocean like traditional fairings,
Neutron’s Hungry Hippo fairing jaws will open wide to release the second
stage and payload, before closing again ready to return to Earth with the
first stage. What lands back on the launch pad is a compete first stage with
fairings attached, ready for a new second stage to be integrated and
launched. This advanced design can speed up launch frequency, eliminates the
high cost, low reliability method of capturing fairings at sea, and enables
the second stage to be lightweight and nimble.
A High-Performance Upper Stage:
Thanks to Neutron’s ‘Hungry Hippo’ fairing design, the entire second stage
will be completely enveloped within the Neutron’s first stage structure and
fairing during launch. Thanks to this, Neutron’s second stage is designed to
be the lightest in history to enable high performance for complex satellite
deployments. Typically, a second stage forms part of the launch vehicle’s
exterior structure and needs to provide strength to the vehicle from
lift-off, exposing it to the harsh environments of the lower atmosphere
during launch. By being housed inside the first stage and ‘Hungry Hippo’
fairing, the requirement for the second stage to withstand the launch
environment is eliminated and the second stage can be made significantly
lighter enabling higher performance in space. Designed as an expendable
upper stage for now, Neutron’s second stage is a six-meter-long carbon
composite structure with a single vacuum optimized Archimedes engine.
Rocket Lab is currently working through a competitive process to select
launch site, rocket production facility and Archimedes engine test facility
on the U.S. East Coast. Rocket Lab expects to create around 250 new jobs to
support the Neutron program with many roles open for application now.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain certain “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking
statements, including without limitation expectations regarding the
development, capability and technical design of the Neutron rocket
architecture and related components, are based on Rocket Lab’s current
expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential
effects. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks,
uncertainties (many of which are beyond Rocket Lab’s control), or other
assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially
different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ
materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release,
including risks related to the global COVID-19 pandemic, including risks
related to government restrictions and lock-downs in New Zealand and other
countries in which we operate that could delay or suspend our operations;
delays and disruptions in expansion efforts; our dependence on a limited
number of customers; the harsh and unpredictable environment of space in
which our products operate which could adversely affect our launch vehicle
and spacecraft; increased congestion from the proliferation of low Earth
orbit constellations which could materially increase the risk of potential
collision with space debris or another spacecraft and limit or impair our
launch flexibility and/or access to our own orbital slots; increased
competition in our industry due in part to rapid technological development
and decreasing costs; technological change in our industry which we may not
be able to keep up with or which may render our services uncompetitive;
average selling price trends; failure of our launch vehicles, satellites and
components to operate as intended either due to our error in design, in
production or through no fault of our own; launch schedule disruptions;
supply chain disruptions, product delays or failures; design and engineering
flaws; launch failures; natural disasters and epidemics or pandemics;
changes in governmental regulations including with respect to trade and
export restrictions, or in the status of our regulatory approvals or
applications; or other events that force us to cancel or reschedule
launches, including customer contractual rescheduling and termination
rights; risks that acquisitions may not be completed on the anticipated
timeframe or at all or do not achieve the anticipated benefits and results;
and the other risks detailed from time to time in Rocket Lab’s filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission under the heading “Risk Factors” and
elsewhere (including that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may also
exacerbate the risks discussed therein). There can be no assurance that the
future developments affecting Rocket Lab will be those that we have
anticipated. Except as required by law, Rocket Lab is not undertaking any
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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