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What's Going On With Rocket Lab Stock Today? - Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB)
Rocket Lab's reusable fairing passed tests to withstand extreme launch forces and re-entry, enabling integrated stage and fairing recovery for cost-effective, high-cadence missions.
- Rocket Lab said in a Dec. 08, 2025 press release that its Hungry Hippo captive fairing completed qualification tests and is enroute to Launch Complex 3, Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Virginia.
- The qualification aimed to prove the Hungry Hippo fairing can survive extreme launch loads and stay attached to the first stage, enabling reusability and rapid-cadence launch capability.
- In testing, engineers applied roughly 275,000 pounds of force to the fairing's carbon-composite structure to simulate Max Q, demonstrating opening and reclosing in about 1.5 seconds, exceeding 125% of expected loads.
- Rocket Lab plans static-fire tests and a 'wet dress rehearsal' before Neutron's first liftoff in 2026, updating the launch window to no earlier than Dec. 12 for additional checkouts.
- Neutron's design positions Rocket Lab to serve 13,000 kg-class missions, with development begun late 2021 and first launch targeted for liftoff in 2026, the company said.
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12 Articles
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Hungry Hippo Fairing Successfully Qualified: Rocket Lab Clears Significant Milestone on Path to First Neutron Launch
Rocket Lab announces that the Neutron rocket's innovative “Hungry Hippo” fairing has successfully completed qualification testing and is enroute to LC-3....
It is one of the most original bets of modern space engineering. The articulated cap of Rocket Lab's new Neutron rocket, designed to never detach itself, survived its qualification tests. A key advance, before the inaugural flight. It was an architectural curiosity that was already being discussed in May.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 38%
12%
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