"Neutron is designed to be reusable and features a "Hungry Hippo" fairing, which will open to release the second stage and payload, before closing again ahead of a return to Earth. According to Rocket Lab, it will be able to carry 13,000 kg of payload to Low Earth Orbit, and be powered by nine Archimedes engines, capable of generating a total lift-off thrust of 1,485,000 lbf."
"With typical directness, Rocket Lab's boss, Peter Beck, addressed Neutron's launch date during an earnings call. "We are aiming to get Neutron to the pad in Q1 next year if all goes well, with the first launch thereafter." "That is provided that myself and the team are confident we have completed Neutron's qualification testing and acceptance testing program to the Rocket Lab standard.""
Rocket Lab reported revenues of $155 million for the quarter ended September 30, up 48% year-on-year, with gross profit rising to $57 million and operating losses increasing to $59 million. The company has conducted 74 Electron launches, most recently deploying an iQPS Earth-imaging satellite on November 5. The strategic focus is the larger reusable Neutron rocket, featuring a "Hungry Hippo" fairing that opens to release the second stage and payload before closing for return. Neutron is designed to carry 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit and will use nine Archimedes engines generating 1,485,000 lbf. Neutron's timeline has slipped; pad readiness is targeted for Q1 next year pending qualification and acceptance testing.
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