Rocket Lab USA, Inc. announced, that will launch its new reusable Medium Harmon capacity of Neutron for the US Air Force Research Laboratory (Affl) As part of the Rocket Cargo Pioneer Mission. This mission, planned no earlier 2026 year, It will be a critical step to develop the opportunities for fast transportation of "point-point" to strengthen global defense logistics with innovative commercial decisions.
The launch will support the AFRL Rocket Experimentation for Global Agile Logistics program (REGAL), the initiative, aimed at demonstrating point-to-point rocket transport for rapid global cargo delivery. As part of this contract, Rocket Lab's Neutron will conduct a re-entry test, confirming its ability to safely return payloads to Earth – a key milestone for future REGAL missions.
Neutron, next-generation reusable launch vehicle from Rocket Lab, designed to be delivered to 13 000 kg on low Earth orbit, providing government and commercial clients with cost-effective, reliable and flexible launch options. The rocket's advanced carbon composite design and integrated design allow it to deploy the first stage and payload fairings as a single unit, significantly reducing the time of work and increasing the efficiency of operation.
Rocket Lab has made significant progress on its launch pad on Wallops Island, Virginia, which is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. The company continues to develop the production and testing of the Neutron rocket, including full-scale component testing and the Archimedes engine, all of them are scheduled for the first flight in the second half 2025 year.
Neutron від Rocket Lab — багаторазова ракета-носій середньої вантажопідйомності, оптимізована як для урядових, так і для комерційних місій, including satellite mega arrays and national security payloads. Neutron's unique design, featuring a carbon composite structure and an innovative upper, provides efficient payload deployment and high reusability. Оснащений дев’ятьма двигунами Archimedes на першому ступені та оптимізованим для вакууму двигуном Archimedes на другому ступені, Neutron працює зі стартового комплексу Rocket Lab (LC-3) at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, Virginia.