Rocket Lab warns of potential delay to Neutron's maiden flight, possibly pushing it to 2027.

According to Bloomberg, Rocket Lab has stated its Neutron rocket project faces new delay risks, with the maiden launch possibly pushed back to 2027. The company plans to deliver Neutron to the launch pad in the fourth quarter as originally scheduled, but did not confirm the rocket will complete its first flight this year. Previously, Rocket Lab had targeted a maiden Neutron launch by the end of 2026. Rocket Lab noted that Neutron’s complex development cycle still carries “risks and uncertainties,” with the exact launch timeline dependent on booster test results and other factors. Neutron is a larger, higher-performance rocket developed by the company based on its Electron, with one goal being to compete with SpaceX’s Falcon 9. In financial results, Rocket Lab posted a record quarterly revenue of $234 million, beating market expectations of $232 million; adjusted earnings per share came in at a loss of $0.08, slightly worse than analysts’ projected loss of $0.07. The company forecasts third-quarter revenue between $250 million and $265 million, above the consensus market estimate of $237 million. Following the announcement, Rocket Lab’s U.S. stock fell roughly 2% in after-hours trading. Additionally, Rocket Lab announced that Kepler Communications has booked an exclusive Neutron launch mission, scheduled no earlier than 2028.