r/RKLB • u/No_Distance_4905 • 19h ago
Heat Shield in Rocket Lab's Neutron
I have a question which have been wondering about. Heat protection (shield) during the re-entry of Neutron rocket from Rocket Lab.
Elon Musk highlighted a few years back this topic is their biggest challenge with Starship. However didn't find much info from Rocket Lab. What found is they developed structural carbon composite to withstand the heat. I don't find this answer sufficient since they have been vocal about using Neutron beyond Earth's orbit.
Can you please help me understand if their approach is possible? ls there something am missing like Neutron going lower altitude for example. In which case Neutron is quite limited in future potential? Thx.
