Peter Beck, CEO of Rocket Lab has announced more detailed specifications for his upcoming reusable rocket, the Neutron:
This rocket is clearly designed to compete with SpaceX's Falcon-9.
You may remember how Elon Musk brought the use of Stir Friction Welding over from the aircraft manufacturing industry to manufacture his Falcon-9 rockets.
Peter Beck is choosing to use automated carbon fiber placement technology to fabricate his Neutron rocket out of carbon fiber.
Whereas SpaceX made their Falcon-9 rocket long and thin to be suitable for transport on US roads, Peter Beck has decided to free himself from that constraint by choosing to land his Neutron rocket directly back at the launch site, thus avoiding the need for road transport - and so the rocket itself then has a wider and fatter design, which is better for generating drag to slow the rocket better on re-entry.
It'll be interesting to see if Peter Beck gives Elon Musk a run for his money, since Jeff Bezos certainly doesn't seem to be doing it.
This rocket is clearly designed to compete with SpaceX's Falcon-9.
You may remember how Elon Musk brought the use of Stir Friction Welding over from the aircraft manufacturing industry to manufacture his Falcon-9 rockets.
Peter Beck is choosing to use automated carbon fiber placement technology to fabricate his Neutron rocket out of carbon fiber.
Whereas SpaceX made their Falcon-9 rocket long and thin to be suitable for transport on US roads, Peter Beck has decided to free himself from that constraint by choosing to land his Neutron rocket directly back at the launch site, thus avoiding the need for road transport - and so the rocket itself then has a wider and fatter design, which is better for generating drag to slow the rocket better on re-entry.
It'll be interesting to see if Peter Beck gives Elon Musk a run for his money, since Jeff Bezos certainly doesn't seem to be doing it.
