Musk Reads+

Musk Reads+

Share this post

Musk Reads+
Musk Reads+
⭐️ Rocket Lab is the future of space
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

⭐️ Rocket Lab is the future of space

Peter Beck is charting his own course.

Mike Brown's avatar
Mike Brown
Jan 12, 2022
∙ Paid
2

Share this post

Musk Reads+
Musk Reads+
⭐️ Rocket Lab is the future of space
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Share

Peter Beck is charting his own course. It’s all in this subscriber-only Musk Reads+ 116.

Share Musk Reads+


On December 2, the CEO of spaceflight firm Rocket Lab, Peter Beck, starred in a video that detailed the latest updates to the Neutron rocket. The upcoming reusable vehicle can send 8,000 kg (17,600 pounds) to low-Earth orbit or 1,500 kilograms (3,300 pounds) to Mars and Venus.

Venus, of course, is a pet favorite of Beck’s — see Musk Reads+ #9 for more on that.

The latest update video showed a series of fascinating features for Neutron:

  • A unique, curved shape that enables rapid reusability

  • The “lightest upper stage ever, in history”

  • A wide, static base instead of deployable landing legs

  • A unique Rocket Lab carbon composite material that makes the rocket lighter than ever — the first of its kind

  • A “hungry hippo” fairing that stays fixed to the first stage

The Neutron rocket pairs with the Electron, the existing small rocket capable of sending 300 kg (661 pounds) to low-Earth orbit. The reusable rocket has completed 22 launches and successfully deployed 107 satellites.

Together, Beck claims the two can lift 90 percent of spacecraft planned for the next decade or so.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Musk Reads+ to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Bustle Digital Group
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More