Launch vehicle due to make maiden flight this year, company promises update in February earnings call

Rocket Lab suffered a setback after a Neutron Stage 1 tank ruptured overnight while the company was performing a hydrostatic pressure trial at its Space Structures Complex in Middle River, Maryland.

Destructive testing is not uncommon, but this test was conducted only to design limits, according to Rocket Lab's statement.

"We intentionally test structures to their limits to validate structural integrity and safety margins to ensure the robust requirements for a successful launch can be comfortably met."

There are no reported injuries and "no significant damage to the test structure or facilities." The tank, however, is gone. Another is in production, but the setback will not have a positive impact on Neutron's launch schedule. An update is expected during the corporation's Q4 2025 earnings call in February.

As with SpaceX and its Falcon 9, Rocket Lab's workhorse Electron has continued launching – another was scheduled today at ...