The US market for medium-lift rockets, defined as having a capacity of 2 to 20 metric tons, is undergoing a transition as the Antares rocket retires. SpaceX plans to withdraw the Falcon 9 from the commercial market by 2028, creating a supply gap for satellite operators between 2027 and 2030.
Stoke Space is developing the Nova rocket, which aims for full reusability. It has a capacity of 3 tons in reusable mode and 7 tons in expendable mode. The first stage is near completion in Kent, Washington, and the second stage is undergoing testing. The company targets an early 2027 launch from Cape Canaveral.
Relativity Space is working on the Terran R, which has an advertised capacity of 33.5 metric tons in expendable mode and approximately 20 metric tons with a reusable first stage. Following acquisition by Eric Schmidt, the company completed testing for 13 Aeon R engines and recently finished the first integrated hot fire test of the second stage.
Rocket Lab is developing the Neutron rocket with a capacity of 8.5 to 15 metric tons. The project has faced technical challenges with Archimedes engines and carbon-fiber dome manufacturing. The company is currently utilizing new out-of-autoclave processes for its large carbon composite structures and aims for a 2027 debut.
Northrop Grumman and Firefly Aerospace are partnering to develop the Eclipse rocket. The project utilizes Firefly's Miranda engines for the first stage. Development details regarding the rocket's hardware remain limited, and the timeline for the vehicle's debut remains uncertain.
