Rocket Lab has a very cool slider on their Neutron site that illustrates the key milestones in Neutron’s development. I’ve extracted the text from it for easier reading but do check it out.
Stage 2 Build COMPLETE: First full-scale carbon composite tank built using advanced manufacturing methods
Structural and Cryogenic Testing Neutron’s carbon composite second stage to complete a barrage of structural tests in preparation for flight.
Flight Mechanisms Test Program Testing of critical flight mechanisms including separation systems, fairing actuation, control surfaces and actuators.
Archimedes Engine Build First Archimedes development engine completed.
Hardware-in-the-Loop Flight to Orbit Testing of all avionics and communications devices with critical onboard software and GNC algorithms.
First Archimedes Engine Hot Fire Archimedes to breathe fire at Rocket Lab’s Propulsion Test Complex within NASA Stennis Space Center.
Stage 1 Build Full-scale carbon composite stage 1 tank built using advanced manufacturing methods.
Stage 2 Static Fire Hot fire exercising the Archimedes engine and all second stage systems. Testing like we would fly.
Stage 1 Static Fire Hot fire exercising the cluster of 9 x Archimedes engine and all first stage systems. Testing like we would fly.
Launch Complex 3 Complete Neutron’s launch site at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia complete.
Final Integration Full flight vehicle complete and ready for flight.
Wet Dress Rehearsal Final systems checks before first launch.
LAUNCH! Neutron will take to the skies, ushering in a new era of U.S. space access.
