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#20
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 12 Jun, 2022 13:16
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#21
by
Steven Pietrobon
on 13 Jun, 2022 07:37
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I think subcooling, increased thrust and a stretch is next in the pipeline! :-)
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#22
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 04 Aug, 2022 06:47
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#23
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 12 Aug, 2022 07:07
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#24
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 07 Sep, 2022 06:54
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Possible change in Neutron fairing size? Neutron page on Rocket Lab website still says 5m diameter.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220906006034/en/Rocket-Lab-Signs-Agreement-with-USTRANSCOM-to-Explore-Using-Neutron-and-Electron-Rockets-to-Deliver-Cargo-Around-the-World
Rocket Lab Signs Agreement with USTRANSCOM to Explore Using Neutron and Electron Rockets to Deliver Cargo Around the World
The agreement supports the U.S. Air Force’s rocket cargo project which is exploring new transport concepts for sending supplies and equipment across Earth via space.
September 06, 2022 04:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time
[…]
About Neutron:
Neutron is Rocket Lab’s medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle in development. Designed to deliver reliable and cost-effective launch for payloads to low Earth orbit and beyond. With a large seven-meter fairing and a payload lift capacity of 13 tonnes in a downrange landing configuration, Neutron is ideal for both constellation deployment and large single spacecraft missions. Development and manufacturing of the Neutron rocket is based at Rocket Lab’s Production Complex in Wallops, Virginia within the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. Neutron’s first launch pad will also be located at the spaceport near the Company’s existing pad for the Electron rocket.
[…]
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#25
by
trimeta
on 07 Sep, 2022 14:36
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Possible change in Neutron fairing size? Neutron page on Rocket Lab website still says 5m diameter.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220906006034/en/Rocket-Lab-Signs-Agreement-with-USTRANSCOM-to-Explore-Using-Neutron-and-Electron-Rockets-to-Deliver-Cargo-Around-the-World
Rocket Lab Signs Agreement with USTRANSCOM to Explore Using Neutron and Electron Rockets to Deliver Cargo Around the World
The agreement supports the U.S. Air Force’s rocket cargo project which is exploring new transport concepts for sending supplies and equipment across Earth via space.
September 06, 2022 04:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time
[…]
About Neutron:
Neutron is Rocket Lab’s medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle in development. Designed to deliver reliable and cost-effective launch for payloads to low Earth orbit and beyond. With a large seven-meter fairing and a payload lift capacity of 13 tonnes in a downrange landing configuration, Neutron is ideal for both constellation deployment and large single spacecraft missions. Development and manufacturing of the Neutron rocket is based at Rocket Lab’s Production Complex in Wallops, Virginia within the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. Neutron’s first launch pad will also be located at the spaceport near the Company’s existing pad for the Electron rocket.
[…]
And also note the rest of that sentence: "a payload lift capacity of 13 tonnes
in a downrange landing configuration" (emphasize added). I suppose that answers the question about how the payload went from "8 tons RTLS, 15 tons expended" to "13 tons, reuse unspecified."
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#26
by
trimeta
on 08 Sep, 2022 00:53
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#27
by
Steven Pietrobon
on 08 Sep, 2022 07:09
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#28
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 08 Sep, 2022 13:59
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https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1567673929204105216Who's joining us for the Neutron Update and Investor Day on September 21 in NYC? We have a few seats remaining for in-person attendance, so get in quick.
🙋♀️ In-person registration: rocketlabusa.com/investordayrsvp
📺 Webcast registration: rocketlabusa.com/investorday
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#29
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 20 Sep, 2022 17:02
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#30
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 21 Sep, 2022 12:07
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https://investors.rocketlabusa.com/news/news-details/2022/Rocket-Lab-Selects-NASA-Stennis-Space-Center-for-Neutron-Engine-Test-Facility/default.aspxRocket Lab Selects NASA Stennis Space Center for Neutron Engine Test Facility
09/21/2022
Construction to Begin on Archimedes Test Complex in Mississippi in a Major Fast-Tracking of the Neutron Launch Vehicle to First Launch
LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rocket Lab USA, Inc (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab”, or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, today revealed it has selected NASA’s historic Stennis Space Center in Mississippi as the location of its engine test facility for its reusable rocket, Neutron.
The Archimedes Test Complex will be located within the larger A Test Complex at Stennis Space Center across a 1 million square foot area for 10 years, with an option to extend the lease for an additional 10 years. The Archimedes Test Complex will include exclusive use and development of existing industrial NASA infrastructure and the Center’s A-3 Test Stand to develop and test Neutron’s Archimedes reusable engines. Rocket Lab has also secured a capital investment incentive from the Mississippi Development Authority to further develop the facilities and infrastructure at Stennis for Neutron. By expanding Stennis Space Center to include the Archimedes Test Complex, Rocket Lab is expected to create dozens of new jobs and make significant capital investments in the state of Mississippi.
Neutron is Rocket Lab’s reusable rocket in development, designed as a cost-effective, reliable, and responsive launch service to help build mega-constellations, deliver large spacecraft to low-Earth orbit, geostationary orbit, and interplanetary destinations, and to support a sustained human presence in space. Neutron will be powered by in-house designed and manufactured Archimedes reusable rocket engines and an advanced upper stage to enable high performance for complex satellite deployments.
Rocket Lab Founder and CEO, Peter Beck, says: “Before rockets flew to the Moon, they first had to go through Mississippi, and as we build a new rocket to reshape space access once again, Stennis is a fitting location for Neutron. Creating a test complex from scratch to the scale and complexity needed to test and develop Archimedes would have had an inconceivably long lead time, so the fact that we’ve secured Stennis and can leverage its existing infrastructure and test stand puts us on the fast-track to Neutron’s first launch. The icing on the cake is having fantastic partners like NASA and the state of Mississippi behind us to bring innovative rocketry, economic development, and new jobs to the Gulf Coast.”
Rocket Lab Vice President – Launch Systems, Shaun D’Mello, says: “The strong support, readiness and flexibility from NASA Stennis and Mississippi to bring engine test operations for Neutron to the state made Stennis the ideal location over other potential sites. Stennis Space Center’s legacy in rocket engine testing, established infrastructure, and skilled workforce will be both a boost to Neutron’s development and help grow Mississippi’s already robust aerospace test capabilities, securing a future for the state in innovative technology development.”
Rocket Lab expects to begin construction on the Archimedes Test Complex at Stennis Space Center quickly. At the same time, construction is continuing at pace on the Neutron Production Complex and launch site at Wallops Island, within the NASA Wallops Flight Facility and Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Combined, the two sites represent over two million square feet of operations for Neutron’s production, testing, and launch facilities. Further Neutron expansion will continue throughout the United States as the program develops toward first launch.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The Governor of Mississippi, Tate Reeves: “When it comes to the aerospace industry, it’s all systems go in Mississippi. That’s because our state offers a prime location for innovative research, well-trained workers, and innovative technology development. Rocket Lab is a wonderful addition to the impressive range of global leaders who call NASA’s Stennis Space Center home and I’m excited to welcome them here.”
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker: “American leadership in outer space runs through Mississippi, and it is great to see more companies partnering with Stennis Space Center as a growing hub of our nation’s aerospace industry. I appreciate that Rocket Lab is using Stennis’s 'A-3' test stand, which Congress saved from demolition in 2010. Rocket Lab will bring quality jobs and technology to Mississippi for years to come.”
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith: “The Stennis Space Center has a special place in American aerospace history, and Mississippi eagerly welcomes Rocket Lab to use this fantastic test facility to add to this legacy. Its work will continue Stennis’ key role in development and testing of the engines that will help usher in a new generation of achievements in aerospace and space exploration. I particularly appreciate that the Rocket Lab agreement involves partnership with NASA, the State of Mississippi, and our wonderful Gulf Coast.”
U.S. Congressman Steven Palazzo: “I applaud Rocket Lab on their decision to utilize the unique facilities at Stennis Space Center to further their space missions,” said Congressman Steven Palazzo. “South Mississippi has long been a staple in the pathway to space for both the public and private sectors. Not only the infrastructure, but the people too, create a receptive environment for business partnerships. I look forward to Rocket Lab’s future at Stennis and in space innovation and exploration.”
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#31
by
sanman
on 21 Sep, 2022 17:41
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Their latest presentation is now up on their website, under the Investors section:
https://investors.rocketlabusa.com/Neutron section is Slide 59 onwards.
On slide 68, they mention a possible capsule:
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#32
by
sanman
on 21 Sep, 2022 17:57
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More concept art of the notional Neutron capsule docking with ISS (slide 69 of presentation):
Wait - if that lower section below the grey band is a service module, then why is the RCS above the grey band? Shouldn't the RCS be part of the service module?
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#33
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 21 Sep, 2022 17:57
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Attached are just the Neutron pages from the investor presentation
Edit to add: apologies I missed some pages, now updated
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#34
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 21 Sep, 2022 18:03
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#35
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 21 Sep, 2022 18:10
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#36
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 21 Sep, 2022 19:21
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#37
by
DeimosDream
on 21 Sep, 2022 20:11
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#38
by
edzieba
on 22 Sep, 2022 11:56
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Recorded presentation video is now available:
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#39
by
Rondaz
on 22 Sep, 2022 14:49
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