"Bubbles": Kratos (MACH-TB 2.0) – Electron-HASTE (fl86 / suborbital fl8) – Wallops FF, MARS, LC-2 – 22.04.2026 01:36 UTC

[zandr]

April 22-30 (00:00-05:00) - Electron/Kick Stage (HASTE) - LC-2 (US) - "Bubbles": Kratos (MACH-TB 2.0)

[zandr]

https://x.com/EShoreSpaceflt/status/2046238210368458975

EasternShoreSpaceflight  @EShoreSpaceflt
NASA Wallops Island Launch Update
TFRs are now in place for the upcoming Rocket Lab HASTE mission, currently labeled "Bubbles."
The primary launch window opens April 21 from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM ET, with backup opportunities continuing through April 29.
With the airspace restrictions now active, everything is continuing to line up for a launch attempt as early as tomorrow night.
As expected with HASTE missions, there are no official details being released regarding the payload or mission specifics.
Night launches out of Wallops are always something to look forward to — hoping for a smooth and successful mission.
Footage from the last HASTE launch ("That's Not a Knife") captured on a GoPro placed near the pad. https://youtube.com/shorts/voMJ8ugBlYE
Includes a full timelapse of the launch window and a sped-up view through Max Q — you can even see the pressure wave as the vehicle climbs.
@NASASpaceflight  @NeedPizza42
 
 

[zandr]

https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/wallops/2026/04/20/nasa-wallops-to-support-april-rocket-launch/

^{Amy Barra  April 20, 2026 4:38PM}
NASA Wallops to Support April Rocket Launch
A suborbital rocket is scheduled to launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia during a window extending from April 20-28, 2026. No real-time launch status updates or livestream will be available.  

^{This March 2026 aerial photograph shows the coastal launch range at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Wallops is the agency's only owned-and-operated launch range.
Courtesy Patrick J. Hendrickson; used with permission}

NASA Wallops provides services such as vehicle tracking, data telemetry, and range safety from NASA's only owned and operated launch range to ensure successful missions operations for the agency, commercial partners, and other government agencies. 

[zandr]

https://x.com/fxsmurphy/status/2046661712330297626

Francis Murphy  @fxsmurphy
Rocket Lab, HASTE "Bubbles" is vertical started at 2:32 EST and completed at 2:36 EST. The launch site, Launch Complex 2 (LC2), Wallops Flight Facility, VA
 
 

[zandr]

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/8225/

Bubbles
Launch In-Flight
Liftoff Time (UTC)
01:36:00
Wednesday April 22, 2026

Улетела.
Статус "в полёте" означает, что пока не поступило сообщение об успешности запуска.

[zandr]

EasternShoreSpaceflight  @EShoreSpaceflt
What a launch.
Rocket Lab's HASTE mission "Bubbles" lifted off successfully at 9:36 PM ET after several holds.
Absolutely incredible to watch.
Just got home and will be going through all the footage, but for now here's a quick raw iPhone clip mounted on top of my camera. Windy conditions and you'll hear "some" camera clicks in the audio — but still worth it.

[zandr]

https://x.com/EShoreSpaceflt/status/2046789370179444922

EasternShoreSpaceflight  @EShoreSpaceflt
What an amazing night out at Wallops for Rocket Lab's HASTE mission "Bubbles."
It was cold and windy, but that didn't stop a great turnout. It was honestly impressive to see how many people came out, especially for a launch that wasn't live-streamed or heavily publicized.
It was great catching up with fellow space and launch photographers and meeting some new faces as well. Nights like this really remind you how strong the community is.
Even though we didn't get a Rocket Lab HASTE jellyfish this time, it was still a spectacular launch. The skies were incredibly clear, and we were able to track the rocket through MECO and even see second stage ignition continue downrange.
Sharing a few shots I captured tonight — still working through video footage, so more to come soon. Hoping the GoPro picked up some of that flight profile as well.
I don't think I'll ever get tired of moments like this.
 
 

[zandr]

https://x.com/will__hall1/status/2046798912237826249

Will Hall  @will__hall1
Rocket Lab's 86th Electron launch — the HASTE mission "Bubbles" from Wallops tonight!
It was windy and pretty chilly, but totally worth it.

[anik]

Улетела четыре часа назад — и?

[zandr]

Суборбитальная траектория. Прилетела уже давно.
Теперь только ждать официального сообщения от заказчика, если будет.

[anik]

Теперь только ждать официального сообщения от заказчика, если будет.

Так и Rocket Lab обычно тоже сообщает, а тут тишина.

[A.E]

Может быть, в этот раз Rocket Lab не в праве. 

[zandr]

Похоже.
В этот раз и до пуска о подготовке к нему Rocket Lab ни слова.

[zandr]

https://x.com/fxsmurphy/status/2046870661377691907

Francis Murphy  @fxsmurphy
After a couple of holds and winds gusting up to 20 mph, Rocket Lab's HASTE "Bubbles" mission launched on April 21st, 2026, at  9:36 PM EST. I was surprised by how many people showed up, especially given how little information was available online about the launch. Just wait until the Neutron program really gets going.
The mission, dubbed "Bubbles," is a suborbital, hypersonic test flight supporting the U.S. Department of Defense. Launch Complex 2 (LC2), Wallops Flight Facility, VA