Rocket Lab Delays Neutron’s First Launch to 2027 After Finding Voids in Dome
Key Facts
Rocket Lab announced on October 14 that the first launch of its Neutron rocket is now expected in 2027, after an inspection of the first-stage propellant tank’s forward dome found voids between layers of carbon fiber. The launch had been targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026, but the company did not set a new date for the maiden flight. The delay puts composite structure manufacturing and rocket testing at the center of the project timeline. Neutron is a medium-lift reusable rocket that the company sees as central to competing more broadly for commercial satellite, civil space and U.S. national security missions. Reuters reported that the company’s stock fell about 6% in extended trading after the announcement.
Inspections showed voids in a forward dome that were addressed, according to Ars Technica, citing the company. Peter Beck said the presence of the voids did not necessarily mean the dome would have failed in flight. The finding refocuses attention on the precision manufacturing of the carbon-fiber tank components, which are part of the rocket’s first stage. As part of the remediation, Rocket Lab modified its manufacturing process. An aft propellant dome made using the updated process passed inspection, while the company is working on a new forward dome.
The aft dome’s passing inspection indicates that the modified process produced a component that met inspection requirements, but the new forward dome remains in progress. The company did not describe the process as easy and did not announce an alternative launch date. Beck expects the main first-stage tests to be completed during the first quarter of 2027, if work proceeds as expected, The Motley Fool reported. After those tests are completed, Neutron will still face final qualification tests for the first stage and the Archimedes engine. The rocket has 9 engines of this type powering its booster, making engine qualification another milestone before the launch date is set.
Rocket Lab’s quarterly report issued in August had said the company was targeting delivery of Neutron to the launch pad in the fourth quarter of 2026, with launch timing tied to first-stage qualification and the completion of key tests. The plan has since moved beyond that timeframe, and the first launch is now expected in 2027, with no date specified. The absence of a new target date means the project schedule will remain tied to completion of manufacturing and upcoming tests. These steps are part of preparations for a medium-lift reusable rocket, as Rocket Lab seeks to expand the range of missions for which it competes. Those missions include launches of commercial satellites and civil space and U.S. national security missions.
The delay comes as the company’s other operations posted revenue growth: Rocket Lab recorded a quarterly revenue record of 234 million dollars in the second quarter of 2026, up 62% year over year. Management guided to revenue of between 250 million and 265 million dollars in the third quarter. But it tied a shift to positive adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to the quarter following Neutron’s first successful launch. That makes the maiden flight date relevant to the financial trajectory outlined by management as well as to operations. RKLB shares closed at 52.6 dollars on October 23, 2026, according to EL7 data.