“Now we can start to see a lot of movement in terms of surface construction.”

It’s the first time someone outside the company has filmed progress at the site since Rocket Lab announced it was building a larger, medium-range rocket to compete with SpaceX in early 2021.

Neutron was scheduled to launch in mid-2025 – a slight change in schedule from an earlier target for late 2024.

The company’s new launch pad under construction for Neutron, named Launch Complex 3 (aka LC-3), is just steps away from its Launch Complex 2 where Rocket Lab launches its small Electron rocket into low Earth orbit.

The scale and capabilities of LC-3 for Neutron are much greater, given that the new rocket will carry 43 times more mass into orbit than Electron and land on the three-stage launch pad for reuse.

The new site’s liquid oxygen tanks could hold 90,000 gallons of fuel, compared to 3,000 gallons on the LC-2.

LOX acts as an oxidizer and must be mixed with fuel, Kuipers said.

Neutron’s mixture will be LOX and methane, called Methalox, compared to Electron’s mixture of LOX and kerosene.

“(Methalox) burns cleaner, and that way when the rocket lands we capture it, it will be a cleaner engine that we can put back into flight.” Kuipers said.

Just a short drive from the launch pad, a new integration facility has been built. When operational, it will house Neutron where a dedicated team of engineers will assemble, verify and test the rockets before flight.

See Rocket Lab’s US launch site and facility for yourself in today’s episode of Markets with Madison above.

Get investing insights from leaders and experts in the markets with Madison every Monday and Friday. here on the New Zealand Heraldon YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this program is general in nature and is not intended to constitute personalized financial advice. We encourage you to seek advice from a qualified professional based on your specific situation.

Madison Reidy is the host and executive producer of the NZ Herald’s investment show Markets with Madison. She joined the Herald in 2022 after working in investment and covered business and economics for television and radio stations.