Rocket Lab’s Neutron to Launch U.S. Air Force Mission Focused on Earth Re-Entry

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A new chapter in global logistics may soon begin, via space. Rocket Lab has been selected by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to launch a Rocket Cargo mission using Neutron, the company’s new medium-lift reusable rocket. The mission is scheduled for no earlier than 2026 and marks a key step in demonstrating point-to-point cargo transport via space. Fast delivery. No runway necessary.

Under the Rocket Experimentation for Global Agile Logistics (REGAL) initiative, AFRL is looking to explore how rockets might one day deliver military cargo across the planet, quickly, reliably, and without conventional infrastructure. Rocket Lab’s Neutron will be at the forefront, launching and re-entering Earth’s atmosphere to test survivability for future missions.

But this won’t just be a theoretical trial. Neutron, designed to deliver up to 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit, is built for more than just payloads. It’s a reusable system with an integrated return stage, made to fly, land, and fly again. It’s made from carbon composite structures, with power coming from nine Archimedes engines. Furthermore, the Neutron has a responsive design that supports both defense and commercial use.

“Neutron is a powerful new launch option that will set a new standard for performance, affordability, and reliability for government and commercial space users in medium launch. This opportunity for the U.S. Air Force not only helps to advance space logistics, it also demonstrates a high degree of confidence by the DOD in Neutron’s capabilities. Anticipation is high for Neutron’s inaugural flight this year, and we’re excited to showcase Neutron as a platform for R&D for point-to-point logistics for the DoD,” said Rocket Lab CEO Sir Peter Beck. 

The rocket’s first flight is still scheduled for the second half of 2025. Progress is also already visible. The Wallops Island, Virginia launch site is nearly complete. Testing of engines, infrastructure, and components is well underway.

Crucially, Rocket Lab has already proven it can deliver. Its smaller Electron rocket has completed over 60 missions and placed more than 200 satellites into orbit. But Neutron is different. Bigger. Smarter. Reusable. It’s built to deploy mega-constellations. To power national security missions. To move cargo across continents, through the upper atmosphere.

And with this mission, Rocket Lab is not just launching hardware. It’s contributing to the future of space logistics, one launch at a time.

Ashton Henning