[ 05 ]Future
The next eraof Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab's next chapter is about scale: a reusable rocket designed to lift more than forty times Electron's payload, satellites built by the constellation, and spacecraft bound for Mars and Venus. None of it is guaranteed. Space schedules move, so every date on this page is a target.
[ A ]Roadmap
Now to the future
- 01
2026
Now
A high-cadence launcher and spacecraft maker
Electron flies roughly every few weeks from New Zealand and Virginia, while Space Systems builds spacecraft and components at scale.
- 95 Electron launches as of Sep 2026
- 16 launches so far in 2026
- Backlog of 90+ launches reported in Q2 2026
- 02
Targeted late 2026PLANNED
Next
Neutron's first flight
Neutron is currently targeted to reach its pad at LC-3 in Q4 2026. Rocket Lab has said the window for an end-of-year launch is narrowing.
- Hungry Hippo fairing testing completed (Sep 2026)
- 400+ Archimedes hot fires
- First flight date not confirmed
- 03
2027 →PLANNED
Orbital Infrastructure
Constellations, owned and built
Rocket Lab is building satellites for the Space Development Agency's missile-warning and data-transport layers. Its planned acquisition of Iridium would make it the owner-operator of a global constellation.
- SDA Tranche 2: due to launch by Jul 2027 (2024 statement)
- Iridium deal expected to close in 2027
- Flatellite constellation platform
- 04
2027 →PLANNED
Deep Space
Mars, and then Venus
Rocket Lab-built ESCAPADE spacecraft plan to swing past Earth in November 2026 and are expected to reach Mars in September 2027. A Venus Life Finder probe with MIT is waiting for Neutron to be ready.
- ESCAPADE Mars arrival planned Sep 2027
- Venus Life Finder moved to Neutron
- Neutron target: 1,500 kg to Mars or Venus
- 05
BeyondPLANNED
The Future
An end-to-end space company
Rocket Lab's stated ambition: build the rockets, build the satellites, and increasingly operate the services they provide from orbit.
- Reusable medium lift
- Vertically integrated supply chain
- Responsive launch (GHOST, planned 2027)
[ B ]Themes
What's coming
01
Neutron
A reusable medium-lift rocket designed to carry up to 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit with its booster recovered.
02
Reusability
A booster that lands, a fairing that never separates, and engines designed to be reflown.
03
Larger Payloads
From Electron's 300 kg class to Neutron's multi-tonne class: whole constellation planes on a single launch.
04
Deep Space Missions
Spacecraft already on their way to Mars. A Venus probe is waiting for Neutron.
05
Satellite Infrastructure
Defence constellations, communications networks and, pending approval, Iridium.
06
Space Systems
Solar power, attitude control, laser communications, software and robotics, all from one company.
07
Interplanetary Missions
Explorer-class spacecraft built for the Moon, Mars, Venus and beyond.
[ C ]Publicly announced
On the manifest
Neutron maiden flightPLANNED
Currently targeted for late 2026, with pad delivery in Q4 2026
From LC-3, Wallops Island. The payload has not been announced.
Source for Neutron maiden flight (opens in a new tab)ESCAPADE at MarsPLANNED
Expected to arrive September 2027
Twin Rocket Lab-built spacecraft for NASA and UC Berkeley. Earth flyby planned November 2026.
Source for ESCAPADE at Mars (opens in a new tab)SDA Tranche 2 Transport LayerPLANNED
Planned to launch no later than July 2027 (as stated in 2024)
18 satellites under a $515M contract.
Source for SDA Tranche 2 Transport Layer (opens in a new tab)Iridium acquisitionPLANNED
Expected to close in 2027
Announced 29 June 2026, about $8.0B enterprise value, subject to approvals.
Source for Iridium acquisition (opens in a new tab)GHOST & Launch Complex 4PLANNED
Suborbital debut planned for 2027
A containerised, deployable launch system; first site at Kodiak, Alaska.
Source for GHOST & Launch Complex 4 (opens in a new tab)Kepler on NeutronPLANNED
No earlier than 2028
A dedicated Neutron launch for Kepler Communications.
Source for Kepler on Neutron (opens in a new tab)Venus Life FinderPLANNED
Awaiting Neutron readiness · date to be confirmed
A small probe to sample the Venusian cloud layer, developed with MIT.
Source for Venus Life Finder (opens in a new tab)
Forward-looking items are based on public statements as of September 2026 and may change or be cancelled. This page is not affiliated with Rocket Lab.