Everything You Need to Know About Rocket Lab's Neutron Delay, Straight From Peter Beck

Core Viewpoint - Rocket Lab's Q3 financial results showed a revenue of $155 million and a loss of $0.03, exceeding expectations, but the delay of the Neutron rocket launch has caused investor dissatisfaction [2][3][4]. Financial Performance - Rocket Lab reported Q3 revenue of $155 million, which was higher than anticipated, and a loss of $0.03, which was less than feared [2]. - The company's market capitalization stands at $24 billion, with a gross margin of 28.93% [12]. Neutron Rocket Delay - The launch of the Neutron rocket, initially expected by the end of 2025, has been postponed potentially to Q2 2026, raising concerns about future profitability [3][5][14]. - CEO Sir Peter Beck emphasized the importance of ensuring a successful first launch, stating that the company will not rush the process [6][7]. Customer Sentiment - Despite the delay, Rocket Lab has three customers contracted for Neutron launches, with no cancellations reported, indicating continued demand for launch services [10]. - The launch market remains robust, with increasing congestion and demand for services [10][11]. Future Projections - The delay in the Neutron launch will likely push the anticipated launch cadence acceleration timeline, with the first profit now expected in 2028 instead of 2027 [14][15]. - The company aims for a launch cadence of one in the inaugural year, three the following year, and five two years out, but this schedule is now in jeopardy due to the delay [14][15].