Rocket Lab's Reusable Neutron Rocket Animation

Neutron is a medium-lift two-stage launch vehicle under development by Rocket Lab. The vehicle is being designed to be capable of delivering an 8,000 kg (17,600 lb) payload to low Earth orbit in a reusable configuration, and will focus on the growing megaconstellation satellite delivery market. The vehicle is expected to be operational sometime in 2024. It uses LOX and liquid methane propellant on both stages of the vehicle.
On 28 February 2022, Rocket Lab announced that Neutron will launch from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) within NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on the eastern coast of Virginia. It was also announced that the company will build a 250,000 square feet manufacturing and operations facility adjacent to the Wallops Flight Facility. Ground was broken for this facility on 11 April 2022. As of December 2021, Rocket Lab is planning for the first launch to take place no earlier than 2024.
#rocketlab

[@andrewbeeco967]

Nicely done. I see the Neutron and Terran-R being head to head competitors in the future.

[@andrewbeeco967]

@Eli Stephenson Agreed. If the place continues, there might be a hope that a decent percentage of the solar system is visited and studied by humanity this century.

[@simongeard4824]

Sort of. Terran-R is supposed to be a lot bigger than Neutron - comparable to Falcon 9. However, I remain sceptical about Relativity Space for now, given they've yet to fly even a suborbital test flight with the smaller Terran 1, much less demonstrating the ability to build a rocket with the capabilities of Terran R. Maybe they'll succeed in making the step up to being an operational launch provider as Rocket Lab have done... or maybe not. Just look at Astra for comparison... struggling to make that transition from test flights to reliable operation.

[@alrightydave]

Indeed they will be!

[@alrightydave]

@@simongeard4824 even being a lot bigger, in half (lowest) capability config, it’ll be around the same price as neutron in the same ish payload area, with Terran R winning out on cost per kg there but neutron offering many other advantages as we always see

[@simongeard4824]

@@alrightydave of course, they're both paper rockets for now. I have more faith in Rocket Lab because they've demonstrated their credentials with Electron while Relativity are completely unproven - but that's no guarantee of ongoing success or failure.

[@jeremiahpurba3882]

A cheaper falcon 9 for the customers who do not need the large payload capacity of starship, with rapid reuse built in, with the permanent fairings, engines not running on full throttle, and the fixed landing legs.

[@SebastianKaliszewski]

It depends a lot on how cheap the expended stage will be vs Starship reuse costs.

[@jeremiahpurba3882]

@@SebastianKaliszewski It's going to use the same strategy as electron did. Customers get a dedicated mission as a trade off of a slightly more expensive launch.

[@VG_164]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/moOUhmptgbeXo6M This is a great video explaining what Neutron has to offer

[@JSOC.1]

@@jeremiahpurba3882 but if starship is at the projected cost you can literally do a dedicated launch of a smallsat and still be cheaper.

[@Simo-un2zu]

@@JSOC.1 Yep Starship is pretty much game over for everyone else in the industry - unles the minimum total launch costs can be done for lower by others. If Starship was say 10 million for 100 tons to orbit, but someone else can launch 2 tons for 9 million, then It's cheaper for me to go with the 9 mill, unless I really needed the other 98 ton of capacity.

[@ecnivo]

Hopefully this will become reality unlike the other 95% of content on this channel LOL Great work, keep it up :)

[@yumazster]

Some of the may-have-been projects were quite wild 😁

[@khenricx]

Neutron is a really sound concept really. Simple but efficient engines, Light carbon fuel tanks Putting the second stage inside and holding it through tension is a really good idea.

[@imEden0]

@@khenricx which is why they're not the first ones to come up with it (which is ok). Centaur does something similar on Atlas V.

[@khenricx]

@@imEden0 Really ? I had no idea !

[@mpetersen6]

Some of the concepts on the channel simply weren't feasible given the state of the art at the time.

[@Gibson99]

As always, great attention to detail, like the separate frost lines on O2 and CH4 tanks as the propellant is used up, heat/distance distortion, gimballing, etc. Awesome work!

[@clevergirl4457]

beautiful work as always! I love the previous videos showing old rocket concepts that never took off, but it's nice to see future rockets that are in the design phase which we'll hopefully see in real life. I'm very excited for the Neutron: it's about time the mighty Falcon 9 got a direct competitor in the medium-lift vehicle class!

[@atemoc]

Well, we'll still have to wait a few years for that, but yeah!

[@nuckerball1259]

This company can do it, one of the few that have actually delivered on their promises

[@khenricx]

Yeah neutron is a really cool concept, one that seems actually feasible.

[@Pongant]

An RTLS Falcon 9 with half the payload, but higher reusability, and a larger diameter. Nice.

[@casuallatecomer7597]

Love to see stuff from underrated/minor players like Rocket Lab, great work!

[@nls.135]

Rocket lab is hardly a minor player especially after CAPSTONE :)

[@Pengun3]

Wouldn't call Rocket Lab minor, they've launched an Artemis mission, and three NRLO missions in a row. They just have a tiny rocket.

[@mocko69]

I *love* the plume expansion, the smoke effects, the air distortion and all the other small things, great work mister hazegrayart!

[@aaronb9696]

Very well done! Hopefully Rocket Lab can make this a reality soon!

[@brianressler569]

awesome to see a fresh neutron animation like this one, very well done, love how you went with ambience over flashy music

[@gavinn9446]

beautiful work as always!

[@stainlesssteelfox1]

The only thing missing is the full length version of 'Capsule into Space' from You Only Live Twice. I played it in the background while I watched this video for maximum supervillainy. It fitted perfectly.

[@Dominion69420]

Nice to see you make an animation of this! Great job as always!

[@shrubshobobsleigh8987]

Incredible animation as always. How are you not already hired by one of these companies?

[@adirmugrabi]

since animations are easy to make. there is no science in this or anything they made.

[@shrubshobobsleigh8987]

@@adirmugrabi ah which Hollywood animations have you sole-authored? You must be quite the multi-millionaire to be able to do it so easily.

[@yumazster]

@@adirmugrabi 'Father, you are so wrong.' to quote Zorg. These animations are always very well researched. The accelerations the vehicles undergo, the behaviour of the rocket plume as the atmosphere decreases in density, each burn of the attitude thrusters and venting and the proper craft responses. You just need to know what to look for to appreciate it.

[@showcase-me]

@@adirmugrabi The quintessential armchair expert....living high and proud in the dunning-kruger peak.

[@HALLish-jl5mo]

@@adirmugrabi While vehicles are easier to animate realistically than animals, we are still looking at animation of a higher quality than some TV shows, and it's done by *one guy* (I assume).

[@TheFinalMinutes]

Wait up? Didn't I see this in a Bond movie somewhere? :) As ever, just incredibly stunning work. I could only hope to be a 10th as good as you are. Thanks for being amazing!

[@Nymphis_]

I love this animation, especially little details such as the slight gimbal of the engine before landing.

[@CausticLemons7]

I love your historical renders and I'm always interested in conceptual designs, but future tech is the best!

[@GreggyBoop]

I come to the videos with a ridiculously high expectation, and am always left knocked off my feet, haha. Well done on another beautiful piece of work. This really is an art form ❤

[@vonbraunwerner9067]

Dear Hazegrayart: you are doing a fantastic job making all those past, present and future RLVs come true ! Thank you so much. Been reading Pdfs about all these projects since 2002; could never have dreamed to see these vehicles in such high quality CGI one day. Again: thank you so much ! (P.S Will do you do HOTOL some day ? It is one jewel missing in your collection. And since you've made MUSTARD and Skylon - HOTOL's father and grandson, kind of).

[@vonbraunwerner9067]

YEEESSS !! Thank you for doing HOTOL. I have run your MUSTARD, HOTOL and Skylon videos side by side, it's pretty amazing.

[@johnlamp820]

Excellent job man. I hope Rocket Lab see this and pay you a heap of money so they can use it in their corporate promotion material ;)

[@Sir_Uncle_Ned]

It's going to be amazing seeing this happen for real

[@xrayaiz74]

A very nice 'vanilla' presentation of the Neutron rocket. I'd say this is ultra-realistic, in my opinion. It's hard to tell that it's been created rather than viewing an actual launch. Neutron has a very minimalistic appearance and it was hard for me to gauge its size until the very end where the 'personnel' showed up to inspect the rocket. It's quite large. I can't resist the comparison to the satellite-eating space capsule created in the James Bond film Thunderball (where Sean Connery played 007). Amazing to see these machines take shape. Thank you for another wonderful production, Hazegrayart.

[@stainlesssteelfox1]

I played 'Capsule into Space' from You Only Live Twice while watching it.

[@xrayaiz74]

@@stainlesssteelfox1 Ok, I got my Bond films mixed up--DOH!

[@stainlesssteelfox1]

@@xrayaiz74 TBH, I didn't even notice that. I was just happy that someone else had made the Bond connection.

[@badrinair]

beautiful work. loved it. The loosing of the focus during the tracking was realistic.

[@paulgrove1407]

Brilliant work, as usual. Just one niggling little detail. I'm probably wrong, but shouldn't the second stage engine nozzle start glowing cherry red after it switches on? (Or have I watched too many Falcon launches?)

[@MayuriK_it]

Beautiful animation. Neutron rocket looks such sci-fi: I like it! Can't wait to see it fly!

[@ПурумПумпум-л5ф]

The era of reusable rockets is coming! 👍🚀

[@MrHichammohsen1]

Its already here

[@alrightydave]

@@MrHichammohsen1 not fully yet

[@FrancescoSpace]

Really well done, congrats!!! Loved it. 🤩 I’d say the only thing to work on would be the smoke sim, and maybe the TWR at liftoff? 👍

[@darinattard3244]

Brilliant concept, captures the imagination. Looks like the James Bond movie - Moon Racker. Well done!

[@bullionsations]

I really would like to see RKLB buy Dream Chaser SMC for cargo and human launches. This will give Rocket LAB both Public and Private investments.

[@ОлегЩеглов-ж5м]

i'm a simple man. I see Hazegrayart video - I like it

[@DocTinfoil]

BRILLIANT! You truly make me wish I kept going with my CGI in the early 1980s instead of doing practical SFX! I ended up at Weta Workshop instead of Weta Digital :(

[@withroaj]

You nailed the Wallops Island / Chincoteague coastline. I really hope neutron actually launches.

[@ryanrising2237]

You’re getting better at this, dang!

[@GatoCapitalista]

Outstanding job. Thanks for keeping us dreaming. I'm pretty sure this would be possible soon. Greetings from Colombia.

[@nhhfdyhvdfghh]

По характеристикам габаритов, грузоподъемности и одноступенчатого многоразового применения ракета является аналогом проекта КОРОНА южноуральского ракетного центра им.Макеева, но в последнем применяется двигатель внешнего расширения. Очень любопытно, получится ли у разработчиков Rocket Lab достичь необходимых результатов с новыми конструкционными материалами и обычными двигателями!

[@Eldobaz]

Не получится. Характеристики по итогу будут скромнее.

[@rasimvaliullin]

Нейтрон -- двухступенчатая ракета

[@RUD_Technologies]

You should get hired by Rocket Lab. That looks great!

[@robertobruselas3952]

One of the better animation videos. What's the latest news? Greetings from Europe.

[@SimonEkendahl]

Will they use this to steal astronauts in order to provoke war between the superpowers?

[@pseudotasuki]

The most innovative rocket currently under development. Ya heard me!

[@stocky9218]

I dunno man, I think this is on par with Relativity Space's Terran R when it comes to new technology. Damn the neutron is cool tho

[@amirm3621]

Starship: Am I a joke to you?

[@YaItxSmoothy]

@@amirm3621 yes!

[@pseudotasuki]

@@amirm3621 Starship is a close second.

[@HexaSquirrel]

Still not sure what is particularly innovative about Neutron: CF tanks, Propulsive landing, CH4/O2 engines already exist.

[@patrick247two]

Wee dude strutting towards the Neutron, like he's the man.

[@paidikaparamuthia]

nice animation. how is reallity going?

[@bigsmitty78]

this got me so hyped, bought another 500 shares just now.

[@Norantio]

A great start to Monday, thank you!

[@debott4538]

Awesome animation as always. 👌 On the technical side, I think Neutron would stage earlier and faster, in order to reduce down-range distance for the first stage and easier RTLS.

[@rwboa22]

Just one thing is missing.....the secret volcano base in Japan complete with white bikini-clad pearl divers, and a pasty-paley gray Mao-suited bald-headed mad genius with a white Persian cat (or Sphinx cat and Mini-Me clone if you prefer the parody films).

[@jasonl897yt7]

this guy needs to be hired by all the space companies

[@qdaniele97]

Now they're just missing a secret volcano base in Japan...

[@LouisDoucet22]

👏 amazing video Keep making some more. I love your work

[@dust1209]

Another great video! Can't wait to see Neutron in action.

[@Sammy197]

The rocket we all drew as kids, goes up and back down looking the same.

[@GerardHammond]

Good One - you've encouraged me to Shapr3D model this and print a 100 cm rocket. Thanks for the next weekend project!

[@wpatrickw2012]

Excellent video, especially the sound at launch.

[@nickoutram6939]

The first stage looks a bit like SpaceX Super Heavy with a 'James Bond' style satellite catcher on the front. I was going to ask why have such an elaborate 1st stage deployment mechanism but I suppose the petal-leaf enclosure allows the 2nd stage to be non-aerodynamic (since its already left the atmosphere when deployed) -this allows many different payloads to be just stuck on top of the fully enclosed 2nd stage. It looks good. Good luck to Rocket Lab!w1

[@JRvonP]

why the hell do you not have millions of subscribers by now... why.. ?

[@fuzzyhead878]

What’s crazy is that I’ve been looking up if anyone’s made KSP mods for the Neutron the past couple of days. Also does anyone else get Thunderbirds/Incredibles vibes from this?

[@fatitankeris6327]

Proton, Neutron. Soon we'll finally get an atom complete.

[@dylancook7732]

@@fatitankeris6327 rocketlab's current workhorse is called electron, so we already do

[@MuhammadHanif-bx4pb]

the problem is the fairing. there's no stock solution for that kind of fairing in ksp

[@fuzzyhead878]

@@MuhammadHanif-bx4pb Well I was talking about parts mods like Tundra Exploration and BDB, but I see what you mean.

[@MrHws5mp]

The fairing design makes it look VERY like 'Bird 1' from the James Bond film You Only Live Twice.

[@mick229Z]

Maybe the best animation I've ever seen!!

[@cenzo1708]

Awesome work! What programs did he use? Does anybody know? I feel like it's blender 3d or a ksp mode but i'm a beginner in cgi so i don't really know what i'm talking about

[@alrightydave]

He doesn’t use KSP. His work is way better than even the best mods or stock replicas out there Probably blender

[@tfcabral]

BEAUTIFUL!!

[@cadman2300]

I think it's fantastic that other companies are getting into the reusable rocket race. SpaceX proved beyond any measurable doubt that reigniting the engine for a safe vertical landing was possible but it's not like they can own a monopoly on VTOL rockets. Elon's ego isn't doing the company any favors either.

[@sproctor1958]

Love your work! The sound of electric pumps feeding the engines has a very different "tone" than other rockets. This video doesn't have that particular "tone" at launch. A very small thing, not really that noticeable. Still great!

[@pietrodicanio9404]

Neutron will not have electric pumps but regular turbopumps

[@sproctor1958]

@@pietrodicanio9404 Thank you! I was making an assumption based on their current design.

[@pietrodicanio9404]

@@sproctor1958 Sure, electric pumps are a very interesting concept, but batteries don’t scale well enough, maybe in the future we will have bigger electropump fed engines (btw the point that you made about the sound is spot on, everyday you learn something new!)

[@ptolemythespacenerd]

Amazing animation! 🎉👏

[@JonathanWilkinsonD]

Interesting, so it's basically an SSTO and the payload would be considered the second stage. I'm curious how long the lifespan and cost differences will be when using carbon composites

[@naukanews]

wow! your work is really great!

[@owenrichards1418]

Outstanding.

[@maxmakez5015]

Great video!

[@oneproductivemusk1pm565]

Well executed animation!

[@Joe-mz6dc]

Beautiful.

[@reasonforlife214]

Amazing ! Now,do the liberty ship. Close gas core nuclear thermal rocket,30KM/s Vex,1000 ton to LEO fully reuseable SSTO

[@johnlamp820]

I wish rocket Lab success. But I really wonder if planar fins are going to work as well grid fins have. I guess those aerodynamicists should have worked it out :)

[@Gibson99]

Blue origin already uses them on New Shepherd and will use them on New Glenn too

[@johnlamp820]

@@Gibson99 , there are significant differences in the flight envelope between New Shepherd and a Falcon 9. New Glenn has not flown.

[@Lucinda666]

Very smart Rocket Lab's Design. ✌✌✌✌✌✌

[@mathieuplourde2175]

Looks like a very high caliber bullet

[@Chris.Davies]

I doubt DOC will permit rockets to land on the beach, but it's possible, I guess. I can't imagine how they'd retrieve it. But I have my fingers crossed for Rocket Lab.

[@1959Edsel]

You only live twice, Mr. Bond.

[@rolflandale2565]

The baring of fuel consumption, is not expensive in a SSTOL craft, long as the re-entering/land second task isn't absorbing the same resource or as much. In this case, having a very high terminal velocity resistance, returning. The pod opening shell could've external dermis hidden layers, extending out like a bulk net cage metal parachute/fin limbs, great friction in early fall during final atmosphere. Making even feasible for low atmosphere planet fuel preserving.

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

I'm so happy doin' the neutron dance I'm just burning doin' the neutron dance

[@ritterkreutztrager]

Very very nice!

[@killerdoritoWA]

I was expecting a launch from a dormant volcano concealing a SPECTRE base!

[@TheVibeDuck]

Awesome video! More please!

[@tvguide4khv]

you need to use 10-12 bit backround clouds images ))) 8 bit shows up banding

[@gupikot5272]

I love the soundtrack

[@Depresdude]

The moment when it was taking off, it sounded like popcorn

[@starship1499]

Starship mini-version. Interesting!

[@manielek]

i'm not so sure about the engines sound though, i noticed you tend to use SRB like "crackling" sound for liquid engines, like here and Triamese, I'm not a rocket engineer or something, but especially methane engines sound a bit different *ackshully*

[@111danish111]

Is the second stage contained in the first stage ?! Those has to be massive fairings . I have never seen anything like this .

[@HypaWave1701]

Wow beautiful!

[@Arclite02]

So... Basically "what if Starship was the booster, and it spat a 2nd stage out the front?". Solid plan - let's see how many times it goes kaboom before they get it all figured out!

[@MustafaKemal-oe8ie]

Unique

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

_VERY NICE...._

[@jimkennedy2339]

Lovely animation. Be great if they get it to work

[@iliketobuildrocketslmao5797]

It kinda looks like an astronomical clock from city Brno. But 10x cooler

[@spinmaster4348]

Nicely done! But not quite so sure whether the sonic bombom is supposed to be added forehand of the reignition of the central engine or not though. 🤔

[@abcqer555]

Awesome

[@elon2159]

SpaceX has a rideshare program for smallsats for falcon 9. I imagine SpaceX will have a rideshare program for smallsats for Starship as well. And there are multiple startups working on space tugs as we speak. A space tug would be used to raise the smallsats to different orbits. I don't think neutron will be able to compete with that.

[@raykewin3608]

Fine Work.

[@TCBYEAHCUZ]

Amazing.

[@jamesmiller2096]

Warner von Braun , hey that kinda looks familiar for some reason.....

[@908animates]

Thought this was gonna be an educational video

[@blw1138]

Its Blofeld's rocket from You Only Live Twice!

[@shawndouglass2939]

Everybody has borrowed the vertical landing from SpaceX;)