The US medium-lift rocket race: Nova, Terran R and Neutron near debut

Ars Technica surveyed the new generation of US medium-lift rockets set to replace Antares and fill the gap as SpaceX withdraws Falcon 9 from the commercial market by 2028. Stoke Space targets "early" 2027 for Nova, Relativity Space has completed the first integrated hot fire of Terran R's second stage, and Rocket Lab has pushed Neutron to 2027.

• Stoke's Nova: 3 t to LEO reusable, 7 t expendable
• Terran R advertises up to 33.5 t to LEO, closer to 20 t with a reusable booster
• Rocket Lab's Neutron: 8.5–15 t depending on booster recovery
• Falcon 9 leaves the commercial market by 2028; Vulcan and New Glenn are costly and booked