3D printed rocket developer Rocket Lab USA has unveiled a sea-based landing platform that’s designed to ‘catch’ its Electron and Neutron launch vehicles.
In a similar vein to the reusable Starship booster demoed by Elon Musk to great acclaim last year, Rocket Lab’s Neutron is also designed to fire in two stages, with the first returning back to base. With its ‘Return on Investment’ platform, the company has effectively come up with a modified sea-faring barge capable of automatically, safely catching the rocket as it falls.
Once it enters service in 2026, this 400-foot vessel will enable the Neutron to fulfill its mission: addressing growing demand for single and multi-satellite launch solutions.
“We’re working hard to bring Neutron online with one of the fastest development schedules in history for a new rocket, because we know medium-lift launch opportunities are limited and space access is being stifled,” said Sir Peter Beck, Founder & CEO of Rocket Lab.
“Neutron’s debut launch planned for later this year will help to ease that bottleneck,” he added. “Our new landing platform will open space access even further by enabling even more mission opportunities that require maximum Neutron performance.”
Inside Rocket Lab’s 3D printing plans
Often, when manufacturers promote their products as being ‘3D Printed,’ they’re only prototyped or made in part using the technology. But at Rocket Lab, 3D printing is deployed on a mind-blowing scale, not just to create lightweight components but entire propulsion systems.
The company’s current flagship rocket, the Electron, is powered by a fully 3D printed ‘Rutherford’ engine. Said to feature an electron beam melted (EBM) combustion chamber, injector, turboprops, and propellant valves, the system is actually printed as a single geometry. Doing so makes it faster to manufacture and reduces its number of potential failure points.
As the Electron’s successor, the Neutron is set to feature an even more advanced engine: the Archiemedes. Designed specifically to power medium-lift, partially reusable rockets like Neutron, this new LOX methane system is also reported to be composed of 3D printed parts.
Once ready, the Neutron will carry out medium-lift missions, deliver payloads of up to 33,000 pounds into low earth orbit (LEO), and help build our planet’s growing satellite infrastructure.
Imitating Musk’s Starship success?
Last October, Elon Musk’s Starship rocket made headlines around the world after it was caught by two giant mechanical arms on return to its launch tower. Given how expensive space flights are to launch, SpaceX’s solution seemed to provide a viable way of reducing costs.
Arguably, the Neutron rocket represents a lightweight alternative. With built-in thrusters and blast shielding, the Return on Investment furthers this ambition by providing the launch vehicle with a reliable companion, capable of autonomously moving to catch it at sea.
Given that Rocket Lab is already one of the most prolific rocket launch providers in the US, the Neutron’s debut – scheduled for the second half of 2025 – will no doubt be a landmark day for the aerospace industry. Stay tuned to the Rocket Lab site for more updates later this year.
