Rocket Lab has confirmed that its powerful new Neutron rocket won’t launch until 2026. CEO Peter Beck announced the delay during the company’s Q3 2025 earnings call on November 10th. While this pushes back the target from late 2025, it aligns with Rocket Lab’s commitment to thorough testing before its first orbital launch.
The Neutron rocket is expected to arrive at its Virginia launchpad in early 2026 and will undergo extensive qualification testing before taking flight. Beck emphasized that the team’s priority is reaching orbit safely on the inaugural mission, rather than simply meeting a launch date.
“I don’t believe in the ‘We’ll collect good data today, but it blew up just off the pad or halfway up,'” Beck told Space.com in September. “That’s not success for us. Success is reaching orbit.” He reiterated this during the earnings call, stating that Rocket Lab won’t be celebrating merely clearing the launchpad.
This delay underscores a key challenge in developing partially reusable rockets like Neutron: ensuring both reusability and mission success on the first attempt. Neutron’s first stage is designed to land back on Earth after splashdown in the ocean before being refurbished for future launches, but this added complexity requires meticulous testing and refinement.
The 141-foot-tall Neutron rocket boasts a powerful array of Rocket Lab’s proprietary Archimedes engines. It’s designed to carry up to 28,700 pounds (13,000 kilograms) into low Earth orbit, directly challenging SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in the medium-lift launch market.
Rocket Lab completed construction of its new Virginia launch facility at Wallops Island earlier this year, and it is currently nearing operational readiness to support Neutron’s first flight. Static-fire tests and wet dress rehearsals will take place after Neutron arrives on site, paving the way for the historic orbital debut.
The Neutron rocket is a cornerstone of Rocket Lab’s ambitious evolution from a small satellite launcher into a comprehensive space transportation provider offering both rockets and spacecraft platforms. This transition also encompasses NASA’s ESCAPADE Mars mission, which Rocket Lab built both orbiters for. However, that mission was recently delayed due to unforeseen solar storms.
The shift in focus towards thorough testing with Neutron reflects the complexities inherent in developing innovative launch technology. While the delay is a setback on the schedule, it underscores Rocket Lab’s commitment to building and launching a reliable rocket capable of reaching orbit successfully on its first try.
