**Rocket Lab RKL.B Surges in Spotlight Over Neutron Rocket Plan**
Key Takeaways:
- Rocket Lab aims to launch its heavy-lift Neutron rocket by early 2026
- The company has completed over 70 launches with its Electron rocket
- Rocket Lab is expanding its U.S. base and competing for a piece of the $600B space market
Auckland, New Zealand — Rocket Lab (ticker: RKL.B) is trending as a key player in the private space race after unveiling major steps toward the launch of its much-anticipated heavy-lift launch vehicle, Neutron, planned for 2026. The renewed interest comes after a recent PBS NewsHour report aired within the last two days, spotlighting how the company is scaling up operations to compete with SpaceX and other major players.
Building a Bigger Rocket to Compete with SpaceX
Rocket Lab has built a reputation as a reliable small launch provider with 74 successful Electron rocket missions out of 78 attempts. Now, the company, founded by **Peter Beck** in **2006 in New Zealand**, is preparing for its next phase: introducing a larger rocket dubbed Neutron. Designed to deliver **nearly 29,000 pounds to low-Earth orbit**, Neutron is a strategic leap from Electron’s **660-pound payload capacity**.
Neutron will be Rocket Lab’s entry into the heavy-lift market, positioning it alongside SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The rocket features carbon composite construction and 3D-printed engines, with the company preserving the option to make the rocket human-rated in the future. Vice President of Neutron, **Shaun D’Mello**, described the rocket as “the missing piece” that enables Rocket Lab to become an **end-to-end space solutions provider**.
From Startup Scrappiness to Market Maturity
Founded in adversity and resource constraints, Rocket Lab has consistently bet on efficiency and focus rather than scale. CEO **Peter Beck**, originally self-financed and operating in New Zealand, emphasized that the company had to be “scrappy” compared to well-funded rivals. Despite its humble beginnings, Rocket Lab joined U.S. markets in **2013** and went public in **2021**, reaching a valuation of approximately **$37 billion** today.
The global space economy, now worth more than **$600 billion annually**, is overwhelmingly driven by commercial providers — nearly **80%** of it, according to data cited by PBS. As **NASA**, **national security agencies**, and private firms increasingly turn to smaller, faster aerospace firms, Rocket Lab finds itself in a sweet spot with both proven reliability and new tech development in motion.
A Strategic U.S. Foothold and a Look Ahead
The Neutron rocket is expected to launch from Rocket Lab’s U.S. base at **Wallops Island, Virginia**, in the **first quarter of 2026**. Its development marks Rocket Lab’s bid to close the loop — offering customers complete space services from **satellite manufacturing to launch and orbital management**. The move broadens Rocket Lab’s appeal to larger clients and interplanetary missions. The company has already launched **NASA’s CAPSTONE mission to the moon**, and built spacecraft for Mars and upcoming Venus missions.
Although still dwarfed by SpaceX with its **13,000 employees** and nearly **$800B valuation**, Rocket Lab’s trajectory is toward sustainable growth with innovation-driven scaling. Beck says his goal is not to beat SpaceX but to build “a multigenerational space company” with lasting global impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is rklb trending?
A: Rocket Lab is gaining attention following PBS coverage of its upcoming Neutron rocket and broader ambitions in the rapidly growing space economy.
Q: What happens next?
A: Rocket Lab aims to debut the Neutron rocket in early 2026 from Virginia, marking its entry into the heavy-lift launch market.
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