'World-first' rocket fairing aces tests ahead of reusable Neutron launch

Rocket Lab, a US aerospace manufacturer, has successfully completed final qualification testing of its innovative “Hungry Hippo” fairing, designed for the partially reusable Neutron launch vehicle. Unlike traditional rocket fairings that are jettisoned and discarded or recovered separately, the Hungry Hippo fairing remains attached to Neutron’s first stage throughout launch, payload deployment, and return to Earth—a world-first for a reusable commercial rocket. This captive fairing system opens mid-flight to release the second stage and payload, then closes again to enable recovery of the entire first stage as a single reusable unit, supporting rapid reuse and cost reduction for various missions. The Neutron rocket, scheduled for its debut flight in 2026, is a medium-lift, two-stage vehicle capable of carrying up to 33,000 pounds (13,000 kilograms) of payload, targeting constellation deployment and defense launches. Rocket Lab conducted extensive full-scale and sub-component testing on the Hungry Hippo fairing, including simulating