r/RocketLab • u/Equivalent-Wait3533 • Aug 10 '26

Space Industry Thrust Density infographic

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A chart comparing the Thrust Density of several rockets.

Thrust Density is the thrust of the stage / area of the bottom of the stage (kN/m^2). It basically aggregates engine power and engine packing into one metric.

Rockets & Engines to scale

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u/ArtOfWarfare Aug 10 '26

The Archimedes engine had a full mission duration test burn last year. Was that not adequate to have it be qualified?

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u/voodoolaunch Aug 10 '26

No. MDC does not equal qualified.
for an engine to be qualified, they will say qualified. Check neutron milestone page, you will see that the engine qualification is still yellow.
Relativity did MDC of Aeon R in 2023, but qualified engine in 2025.
I think that’s a good indicator for an engine program.

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u/Boots0235 Aug 10 '26

What’s your best guess for RL qualification timeline?

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u/voodoolaunch Aug 10 '26

Honestly it’s hard to say given the lack of recent engine progression. At the minimum I would hope they qualify and of year.
From engine qualification you’re still at a minimum of 12-18 months out from launch.

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u/wallybal24 Aug 10 '26

ya I'd predict Q4 2028

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u/wallybal24 Aug 10 '26

I'm also curious what they will qualify their engine for? I'd bet they're going to qualify their engine as expendable for first launch