Launch has been moved to the 25th because of snow
Launch postponed due to "out-of-bounds launch commit criteria"
Rocket Lab is preparing a suborbital launch using its HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) vehicle. This mission, named "That's Not A Knife", will deploy the DART AE scramjet-powered hypersonic demonstrator for the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), part of the Department of Defense (DoD).
Vehicle
Source: Hypersonix
The vehicle is developed by Australian company Hypersonix Launch Systems, which specializes in scramjet propulsion technology. DART AE (aka "Cassowary Vex") is a single-use technology demonstrator designed to validate hypersonic flight performance, including propulsion, materials, guidance, and control in real conditions.
Claimed Reported Specifications for DART AE
- Length: ~3 m
- Mass: ~300 kg
- Range: Up to 1000 km
- Speed: Up to Mach 7
Mission
The HASTE rocket will accelerate the vehicle to its initial operating speed, after which DART AE will demonstrate non-ballistic flight, acceleration, flexible engine burns, and data collection at hypersonic velocities.
Launch Site
Launch Complex 2 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, Wallops Island, Virginia (Rocket Lab's U.S. launch pad).
For context on Rocket Lab's suborbital HASTE missions, see:
Official Mission Page:
This marks another in Rocket Lab's series of HASTE hypersonic test flights supporting rapid, commercial-access testing for defense applications.
Where to watch:
- 30 minutes before launch: Rocket Lab
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Useful links to stay up to date on launches:
Nextspaceflight: Launches
NASA Spaceflight nasaspacefight.com