Rocket Lab USA has achieved a significant milestone by successfully conducting the hot fire test of its new rocket engine, Archimedes, marking a crucial step towards the inaugural launch of the company’s medium-lift rocket, Neutron.
The hot fire test was carried out by Rocket Lab’s engineers at the Engine Test Complex located within NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi, during August 2024. Archimedes demonstrated exceptional performance during the test, meeting several key objectives, including achieving 102% power output. This successful test has solidified the engine’s design in preparation for Neutron’s maiden flight, scheduled for mid-2025. Notably, this timeline positions Neutron as the fastest commercially developed medium-class launch vehicle to enter the market.
With the completion of the hot fire test and the commencement of a full qualification campaign, the Rocket Lab team is now focused on accelerating the production of flight-ready engines.
The Archimedes engine is set to power Rocket Lab’s innovative reusable medium-lift rocket, Neutron, which aims to revolutionize cost-effective, reliable, and responsive launch services for both commercial and government missions. Neutron incorporates cutting-edge features, including carbon composite materials for all major structures, and an advanced upper stage that enables high-performance capabilities for intricate satellite deployments, such as the launching of satellite mega-constellations.
Utilizing an oxidizer-rich staged combustion cycle, the Archimedes engine will drive the reusable first stage of Neutron, as well as the rocket’s second stage, capable of carrying payloads of up to 13,000 kilograms to space. With each engine generating up to 165,000 pounds of thrust, Archimedes operates at reduced stress levels compared to conventional rocket engines, facilitating swift and dependable reusability.
Neutron’s first stage, powered by a cluster of nine Archimedes engines, is designed to deliver a combined thrust of 1,450,000 lbf. The engine employs a cryogenic propellant mixture of liquid oxygen and LNG to enhance reusability and performance, with many critical components being manufactured using cutting-edge 3D printing technology, including turbo pump housings, pre-burner and main chamber components, valve housings, and engine structural elements.
Production of the Archimedes engines is centralized at Rocket Lab’s Engine Development Complex situated at its headquarters in Long Beach, California, showcasing the company’s commitment to innovation and efficiency in advancing the capabilities of space launch technologies.