Rocket Lab delays Neutron Rocket debut to 2027 over carbon‑composite flaws

On Oct. 15, 2026, Rocket Lab said the first launch of its Neutron rocket would be postponed to 2027.

Kucoin.com, Blockonomi and FinanceFeeds reported that after the announcement, Rocket Lab’s stock ticker RKLB dropped in after‑hours trading on Oct. 15, 2026. During a pressure test in January 2026, a first‑stage tank for the Neutron rocket burst, leading to an earlier schedule change.

Following that tank burst, Rocket Lab shifted the planned launch window to the fourth quarter of 2026, before the later delay to 2027. The Electron launcher remains active, with a contract for 20 flights agreed with the Japanese company Synspective.

Ars Technica and Blockonomi reported that inspections revealed gaps or empty spaces between the layers of carbon‑fiber in the domes of the tanks. “Recently, we identified an issue with the manufacturing process for the propellant domes specifically, and this caused us to delay production and investigate further.” — Peter Beck

Blockonomi and FinanceFeeds reported that KeyBanc cut its 12‑month price target for RKLB shares from $135 to $100 after learning of the launch delay. Clear Street also lowered its target for RKLB, moving it from $129 to $105 following the same news.

FinanceFeeds reported that in the second quarter of 2026, Rocket Lab took in $234.1 million, marking a 62 % year‑over‑year increase, and held a backlog worth $2.36 billion. It is meant to rival SpaceX’s Falcon 9 for contracts that require medium‑lift (capable of carrying moderate payloads) launch contracts. Kucoin.com and FinanceFeeds reported that because of the delay, Rocket Lab’s move into the medium‑lift sector is postponed and the expected income from Neutron is pushed back.