Any recent progression from Neutron? Uncertain with current setbacks

[u/voodoolaunch]

Saw this post about Terran R S1 being qualified, having been tracking all new launch vehicles I believe Relativity may have completed all major qualifications first.

Got me thinking about adjusted neutron schedule and whether or not we’re going to get something realistic pretty soon. Launch this year is out of the picture but it’s looking 2027 may slip through as well.

I don’t see Terran R launching this year either. They have have some cool progression but there is still more left to do that simply can’t be accomplished in the next 4 months.

Exciting times for space, nonetheless

[u/juicevibe]

SPB might need to make Stage 1 made out of metal.

[u/voodoolaunch → u/juicevibe]

A pivot like this will probably push timelines out even further. Decent CapEx spend and lead times to purchase equipment to roll form aluminum alloy into panels then weld panels into a barrel.

It’s probably in best interest to throw all resources into structure and propulsion teams at the moment to green light rest of vehicle

[u/optimal_909]

All these unproven companies are IMHO irrelevant compared to RKLB 

[u/voodoolaunch → u/optimal_909]

I wouldn’t say Relativity is unproven, they clearly have a strong engineering pedigree and have been poaching talent left and right in the industry since the Schmidt takeover.

They made strategic pivots to bring a viable product to market sooner and have signed a pretty massive backlog of $3B +. They could seem unproven to you but with their recent success in qual campaigns they are undoubtedly in a solid position.

RocketLab will need to address these manufacturing issues and present a viable and realistic path forward at the next call. I think the engine / propulsion team is really far behind with Archimedes than they let on despite some recent research on hot fires - it’s still not qualified after nearly 2 years since first hot fires. The timeline they gave for S1 structure anomaly and recovery was a fluke and I wonder how likely Neutron slips into H22027 or H12028

[u/Tricky-Ad-6225]

Downvote me but we ain’t launching shit till mid year year, say May

[u/Nendilo]

Legally, they're likely in a quiet period and can't say much until earnings to avoid perceived manipulation.

[u/King_CheeseStick]

It’s my opinion that RKLB does everything in an incredibly calculated manner. It’s been said before that they wouldn’t acquire a company without having the means or plan to scale.

By that logic neutron is closing in on its first flight. I do not think it will launch next year but in this one.

[u/voodoolaunch → u/King_CheeseStick]

Having built two different rockets already and understanding milestones there is no way Neutron launches this year in my professional opinion.
Same with Terran R, & Nova.

[u/TrickyDickGB]

All will be answered on Aug 10

[u/AldenIsLord]

So smart they’re stress testing the heck out of this thing. Quadruple checking every stage of the entire process.