DD - Rocket Labs Neutron (SpaceX Competitor) is Launching This September

Rocket Lab has faced growing skepticism over whether its next-gen Neutron rocket would launch anytime soon.. In a recent report, BSR claimed Neutron wouldn’t lift off until **mid-2026**, possibly even **2027**, calling Rocket Lab's timeline “built on shaky ground.” But a newly filed **FCC Special Temporary Authority (STA)** quietly tells a different story: 🚀 **Neutron is scheduled to launch this September.** [https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA\_Print.cfm?mode=current&application\_seq=141757&RequestTimeout=1000](https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=141757&RequestTimeout=1000) # Why this is Neutron — not Electron: 🔍 **1. Location = Wallops Island** Electron launches from New Zealand or LC-2 at Wallops. Neutron is being built specifically for **Launch Complex 3** at Wallops Island — the same site named in the filing. 🧱 **2. Stage-specific language** The STA refers to “**Stage 1**” and “**Stage 2**” operations. Electron is rarely described in filings this way. Neutron, with its **reusable first stage**, requires more complex comms configurations. 📡 **3. Antenna height = 35.2 meters** Electron is \~18m tall. Neutron is \~40m tall. The described antenna installation height closely matches Neutron’s specs. 📅 **4. Timeline** The STA is valid **July–December 2025**, directly aligning with Rocket Lab’s original Neutron launch window. 📶 **5. Advanced telemetry** The use of SOQPSK-TG modulation and multiple S-band frequencies between **2224–2280 MHz** implies heavy telemetry needs — far more than what’s typical for an Electron mission. The market may be pricing in delays until 2027. This filing suggests **Neutron is on track to fly this September**. And based on its capacity and pricing, if Neutron reaches full cadence, it could generate **$1B+ in annual revenue**. The filing is public. The signal is clear. You're still early.