The company Rocket Lab has warned that the chances of making the first launch of the Neutron rocket are narrowing to the end 2026 year, despite progress in its development.
10 August 2026 year according to the results of the telephone conference, the company confirmed, that work on degrees, engines and other systems corresponds to the missile delivery plans
to the launch pad in the IV quarter 2026 year. At the same time, the launch in the specified quarter is not guaranteed, as there is provision for on-site testing, in particular, the static fire test of the first degree.
CEO Peter Beck noted, that current activities are aimed at risk management and ensuring the missile is ready for full-scale production
and high frequency of launches. Найкритичнішим етапом залишаються інтегровані випробування ступенів і статичні вогневі тести.
Перший запуск Neutron уже неодноразово відкладався (початково планувався на 2024 year). Despite this, demand for rocket launches from commercial and government customers remains high. Компанія дотримується поступового нарощування запусків за принципом «один — три — п’ять» у перші три роки експлуатації. Increasing the frequency of launches will depend on the realization of the reusability of the missile.
Source: https://spacenews.com