Neutron rocket by Rocket Lab
by Terrymiller: SpaceX
Bro, the space industry is getting a new contender. Neutron from Rocket Lab is built to go toe-to-toe with SpaceX's Falcon 9. This reusable medium-lift rocket comes from the team behind the Electron. It can haul up to 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit for big satellite constellations or future crewed missions. The first stage runs nine Archimedes engines burning methane and oxygen to push about 6.6 MN of thrust at liftoff. That same fuel combo powers the single vacuum-optimized Archimedes engine on the second stage. Both stages are designed to recover and reuse their hardware. #SpaceX
Transcript (en)
The space industry is about to welcome a new rocket designed as a strong competitor to SpaceX's Falcon 9. Meet Neutron, built by Rocket Lab, a company already known for its reliable electron rocket. Neutron is a reusable rocket in the medium lift class, capable of recovering and reusing its first stage. Neutron's first stage is powered by nine Archimedes engines, burning liquid methane and oxygen, together delivering about 6.6 MN of thrust at liftoff. Its second stage uses a single vacuum-optimized Archimedes engine, also fueled by methane and oxygen. The rocket can carry up to 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit, making it well-suited for deploying large satellite constellations and supporting future deep space and crewed missions.
