Rendering of the Neutron rocket deploying a constellation into orbit. Photo: Rocket Lab

NASA has added Neutron launch services to Rocket Lab’s existing Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) contract, Rocket Lab announced Jan. 9.

Rocket Lab has been eligible for NASA VADR launch contracts since 2022 and the Electron vehicle has provided four launches between the VADR PREFIRE and VADR TROPICS missions. This addition makes Neutron eligible for future awards. 

The Neutron rocket plans to meet the demand for medium-lift launch capabilities in government and commercial sectors including constellation deployment, national security operations and scientific exploration. Neutron is scheduled for its debut launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 3 in Virginia from mid-2025. 

Peter Beck, Rocket Lab’s founder and CEO said: “Neutron brings choice and value to the launch industry and is the ideal rocket to support NASA’s goals with VADR to provide new opportunities for science and technology payloads through commercial best practice.

This comes after Rocket Lab recently announced its first launch deal for Neutron, a multi-launch agreement with an unnamed commercial satellite constellation operator. Neutron is also eligible to compete for missions under the U.S. Space Force’s OSP-4 program. Rocket Lab also says Neutron is “ideally placed” to be on-ramped into the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Lane 1 program.