Rocket Lab announces another delay for its medium-lift Neutron rocket
Summary
Rocket Lab announced that its Neutron rocket will not launch until 2027 due to a manufacturing problem with the rocket's carbon composite parts. The issue involves air pockets found in the dome sections of the rocket's fuel tanks, which caused delays while engineers developed a new production method.Key Facts
- Rocket Lab’s Neutron rocket first flight is now planned for 2027.
- The delay is caused by defects in the carbon composite domes of the rocket’s first stage fuel tanks.
- Air pockets (voids) were discovered between carbon fiber layers during inspection.
- Carbon composite is a lightweight, strong material but hard to manufacture, especially in large sizes.
- The Neutron first stage is the largest carbon composite pressure vessel ever made.
- The manufacturing problem started after design changes made to strengthen the tank after a previous tank rupture in January.
- Rocket Lab uses a new process without an autoclave (a special high-pressure oven) because the parts are too large.
- Engineers fixed the issue by modifying the process, and new parts passed inspection, allowing production to continue.
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