The mission, named “That’s Not A Knife,” lifted off on February 27 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern (February 28, 00:00 UTC) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 at the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia. It marked the second successful hypersonic test launch for the DIU in three months and the seventh HASTE mission overall.
During the flight, the rocket deployed DART AE, a scramjet-powered aircraft developed by Australian aerospace engineering company Hypersonix, into a suborbital hypersonic environment at speeds of several times the speed of sound. The mission achieved its objectives, maintaining a 100 percent success rate across all HASTE launches to date.
Since its inaugural flight less than two years ago, HASTE has emerged as a commercial test platform for hypersonic systems. Rocket Lab states that by combining operational speed and launch cadence with mission flexibility, the platform supports diverse testing needs while helping advance hypersonic technology readiness.
Brian Rogers, Vice President of Global Launch Services at Rocket Lab, said, “This launch is another proud moment for the HASTE team and a great showcase of the important commercial platform it has become for the Department of War. Regular and reliable HASTE launches are helping to accelerate hypersonic readiness for the nation, and we take pride in providing the foundation to a new era of testing of this critical technology to protect the United States space security.”
Matt Hill, CEO of Hypersonix, said, “This mission is a major milestone for Hypersonix and our flight test program. Successfully flying DART AE in a real hypersonic environment validates years of disciplined engineering and preparation by our team. Launching aboard Rocket Lab’s HASTE vehicle enabled us to execute the mission with speed and precision. This flight moves us from ground-based validation into true hypersonic operations and brings us closer to delivering reusable hypersonic capability that is operationally relevant for our partners and allies.”
“That’s Not A Knife” was Rocket Lab’s third launch of the year and its 82nd overall, each completed with mission success. The company said the milestone underscores the continued performance of its small-lift launch services across both government and commercial missions.
