Family-level launch record combining canonical variants, historical missions, public cadence forecasts, and available payload performance specs.
Historical missions are grouped by actual launch year. Forecast cadence uses family-level launch-rate rows.
| Year | Historical missions | Forecast launches |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 1 |
| 2027 | 0 | 3 |
| 2028 | 0 | 5 |
| 2029 | 0 | 6 |
| 2030 | 0 | 8 |
| 2031 | 0 | 8 |
| 2032 | 0 | 10 |
| 2033 | 0 | 10 |
| 2034 | 0 | 10 |
| 2035 | 0 | 12 |
| 2036 | 0 | 12 |
| 2037 | 0 | 12 |
| 2038 | 0 | 12 |
| 2039 | 0 | 12 |
| 2040 | 0 | 12 |
| 2041 | 0 | 12 |
Payload capacity by variant and target orbit when structured capacity rows are available.
| Variant | Orbit | Capacity | Altitude | Inclination | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron | LEO | 15,000 kg | Unknown | Unknown | Rocket Lab Reusable Rockets |
Neutron | LEO | 13,000 kg | Unknown | Unknown | Rocket Lab Neutron |
Latest launched missions using variants in this family.
| Mission | Variant | Launch |
|---|---|---|
No recent missionsNo launched missions are linked to variants in this family. | ||
Upcoming mission rows with announced launch timing.
| Mission | Variant | Announced |
|---|---|---|
No forecasted missionsNo upcoming announced mission rows are linked to this vehicle family. | ||
Canonical variants rolled up into this launch vehicle family.
| Variant | Stages | Missions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Neutron | Not stated | 0 | Development |
1 launch location represented.
| Year | Location | Launches | Confidence | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 1 | 35% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron is targeted for debut in late 2026; use early operational ramp, not mature medium-lift cade... |
| 2027 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 3 | 35% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated. |
| 2028 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 5 | 35% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated. |
| 2029 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 6 | 30% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated. |
| 2030 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 8 | 30% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated. |
| 2031 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 8 | 30% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated. |
| 2032 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 10 | 25% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated. |
| 2033 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 10 | 25% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated. |
| 2034 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 10 | 25% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated. |
| 2035 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 12 | 25% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated. |
| 2036 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 12 | 25% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated. |
| 2037 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 12 | 25% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated. |
| 2038 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 12 | 25% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated. |
| 2039 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 12 | 25% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated. |
| 2040 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 12 | 25% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated. |
| 2041 | Wallops Flight Facility / MARS | Launch Complex 3 | 12 | 25% | Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated. Site-... |
Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron is targeted for debut in late 2026; use early operational ramp, not mature medium-lift cadence.
Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated.
Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated.
Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated.
Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated.
Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated.
Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated.
Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated.
Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated.
Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated.
Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated.
Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: Neutron cadence below previous 16/year upper curve until regular operations are demonstrated.
Neutron |
| LEO |
| 8,000 kg |
| Unknown |
| Unknown |
| Rocket Lab Reusable Rockets |
Neutron | escape | 1,500 kg | Unknown | Unknown | Rocket Lab Neutron Payload User Guide |
Rocket Lab intends to provide an update on the Neutron schedule during its 2025 Q4 earnings call in February.
Neutron is Rocket Lab’s medium-lift rocket program.
The study supports a unified physical picture in which fast radio bursts arise from highly magnetised neutron stars known as magnetars.
Rocket Lab is conducting neutron testing at its Space Structures Complex in Middle River.
The Neutron tank structure at Rocket Lab Middle River experienced its first rainfall after being moved outside last week.
The red and grey hardware may be for the transport trailer associated with the Neutron tank structure.
Rocket Lab will wait for the Neutron rocket to provide its reusability case in approximately 3 years.
Rocket Lab assumes that building 4 Neutron rockets will enable 16 launches per year at the start.
Rocket Lab plans to wait for its Neutron rocket to prove its reusability before investing in its future constellation.
Part of Neutron's first stage has been moved into public view at Rocket Lab's facility in Middle River, Maryland.
Rocket Lab USA's Neutron rocket secured contracts from NASA and commercial clients, contributing to projected positive cash flow for 2026.
In black widow systems, a rapidly rotating neutron star is paired with a small companion that has lost material to the pulsar over time.
PSR J2322-2650b orbits its neutron star at a distance of about 1 million miles.
The detected gravitational waves suggest that two neutron stars may have merged to create a kilonova visible to telescopes.
VIPER will use three scientific instruments: a mass spectrometer, a near-infrared spectrometer, and a neutron spectrometer.
Theoretical scenarios suggest ways in which sub-solar neutron stars could exist, including fission and fragmentation processes during supernova explosions.
The gravitational-wave data indicated that at least one of the neutron stars involved in the merger was less massive than the Sun.
Rocket Lab announced the qualification of a new fairing system for its Neutron heavy-lift vehicle.
The new fairing system for the Neutron heavy-lift vehicle is named the 'Hungry Hippo.'
The fairing halves integrated into the Neutron rocket remain attached to the rocket.