"That's Not A Knife": DART AE – Electron-HASTE (suborbital fl 7) – Wallops FF, MARS, LC-2 – 26.02.2026 21:00 UTC

[zandr]

https://x.com/RocketLab/status/2022061165917155629

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Launch alert: our next mission will be a hypersonic test mission on HASTE from LC-2 in Virginia for @DIU_x to deploy a scramjet-powered aircraft by @Hypersonix_AU.
Launching NET late February.
 

[zandr]

https://rocketlabcorp.com/missions/launches/thats-not-a-knife/

That's Not A Knife

Mission Name  That's Not A Knife
Vehicle            HASTE
Launch Date    late February
Launch Time   TBD
Launch Site     Launch Complex 2
Overview         A hypersonic test mission for the Defense Innovation Unit
Payload           DART AE

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[свернуть]

'That's Not A Knife' is Rocket Lab's latest hypersonic test mission for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) on its HASTE launch vehicle.
The mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than late February from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 within the Virginia Spaceport Authority's Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia.

'That's Not A Knife" will deploy DART AE, a scramjet-powered aircraft developed by Australian aerospace engineering firm Hypersonix. 

This latest HASTE launch reflects Rocket Lab's investment in restoring the nation's hypersonic test capabilities through its commercial speed, innovation, and execution - a critical priority for the Department of War. By lowering cost barriers and increasing the test launch tempo for the United States and its allies, HASTE gives testers unprecedented control over flight profiles and environments up to Mach 20 – a commercial capability that remains unmatched globally and expands and secures U.S. space superiority.

[zandr]

https://x.com/GewoonLukas_/status/2022069242041123139

Lukas C. H.  @GewoonLukas_
Rocket Lab announced their next mission! This will be a suborbital HASTE launch named "That's Not A Knife". Inside the comically long fairing will be Hypersonix' DART-AE, a hydrogen-fueled scramjet technology demonstrator. Hazard area's indicate launch is NET Feb. 23 at 20:00 UTC

[zandr]

https://x.com/RocketLab/status/2023550699813159171

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Hypersonic test launch has been plagued for decades by high cost and low cadence, but our HASTE rocket is changing that. With multiple successful HASTE missions in 2025, we've brought the speed of commercial launch to hypersonic testing.
Next HASTE launch NET late February. Mission info: https://bit.ly/465Cf1y

Страница миссии, что по ссылке, уже здесь, двумя постами выше.

[mik73]

Интересно, что они имели в виду с таким лозунгом запуска? Отсылка, видимо,  к Кроколилу Данди (и шляпа на эмблеме намекает). Который глядя на ножики, которыми ему угрожают плохие парни, говорит " That's Not a Knife. That's a Knife! " и вытаскивает свой ножичек невероятного размера. Но кто в этом запуске будет "разве это ножиком", а кто "вот это - ножиком"?

[zandr]

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7209/

That's Not A Knife
Liftoff Time (UTC)
20:00:00
Tuesday February 24, 2026
...
Mission Details
Launch Notes
Part of Rocket Lab's HASTE Program.
DART AE
(Cassowary Vex)
DART AE, produced by Hypersonix, is a three-metre-long, single-use, high-temperature alloy, hydrogen-fuelled, scramjet technology demonstrator. DART AE (Additive Engineering) makes significant use of 3D printing and is powered by a single patented 3D printed SPARTAN scramjet engine.

The HASTE rocket will safely bring DART AE to its initial operating speed, allowing DART AE to demonstrate its non-ballistic flight patterns, acceleration, flexible engine burns, and up to 1000 km range, and collect valuable flight data from its journey at hypersonic speed.
Manufacturer: Hypersonix Launch Systems
Operator: Hypersonix Launch Systems
Suborbital
1 Payload
...

[Seliv]

Они, оказывается, эту австралийскую гиперзвуковую пепяку потащили в США. Не стоит напоминать, где основная площадка Rocket Lab.
А в америках чисто русский пейзаж
Вы не можете просматривать это вложение.
Забавно, что сама контора в Брисбене, это самое восточное побережье Австралии, реально не далеко до НЗ

[zandr]

Они, оказывается, эту австралийскую гиперзвуковую пепяку потащили в США.

По программе HASTE (но не только) Электрон летает именно из Вирджинии.

[zandr]

Однако, картинка выше, прямо из твиттера РокетЛаба, где они также пишут
https://x.com/RocketLab/status/2026075202619310566

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Conditions might be snowy in Wallops, but launch preparations continue for the "That's Not A Knife" HASTE launch for @DIU_x and @HypersonixAU later this month.

[zandr]

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7209/

That's Not A Knife
Liftoff Time (UTC)
20:00:00
Wednesday February 25, 2026

[zandr]

https://x.com/RocketLab/status/2026445505161752658

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
We are GO to launch our hypersonic test mission on HASTE for the @DIU_x and @HypersonixAU.
"That's Not A Knife" is scheduled for liftoff at LC-2 in Virginia tomorrow, February 25 from 4pm/1pm Eastern/Pacific.
And yes, there will be a webcast

[zandr]

https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/wallops/2026/02/24/nasa-wallops-to-support-rocket-lab-launch/

NASA Wallops to Support Rocket Lab Launch

A Rocket Lab suborbital rocket is scheduled to launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia Feb. 25, during a window extending 4-7 p.m. EST. Backup days are Feb. 26-28, 4-7 p.m.
The Wallops Visitor Center will not be open to the public for launch viewing. The rocket launch may be visible from the Chesapeake Bay region.
A launch livestream will be provided by Rocket Lab on their YouTube channel. For the latest updates on launch, follow Rocket Lab's social media channels.

[zandr]

Код Выделить Развернуть

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MXAzzSgRFE

Rocket Lab | HASTE - 'That's Not A Knife' Launch
  Rocket Lab

[zandr]

https://x.com/RocketLab/status/2026710200590438637

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Operations are underway for our latest HASTE hypersonic test flight from LC-2 - this time for @DIU_x and @HypersonixAU to launch their DART-AE aircraft to hypersonic speeds.
'That's Not A Knife' is scheduled to launch NET:
4:00 pm EST
1:00 pm PST
21:00 UTC

[zandr]

https://x.com/RocketLab/status/2026720155888493032

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Horizontal checkouts complete and HASTE is vertical on the pad at LC-2. T-3 hours to launch for @DIU_x and @HypersonixAU

[zandr]

https://x.com/RocketLab/status/2026726387911110827

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Today's HASTE hypersonic launch is an experimental mission that's a bit different to the usual Electron launches. Here's how.

1. Electron typically reaches final staging ~9 minutes after liftoff. Today? HASTE will complete its mission in <3 minutes.
2. No 2nd stage engine burn or battery hot-swap on this launch. Instead MECO, fairing sep, and payload deployment are all expected to take place within seconds and these events mark the end of Rocket Lab's role in the mission - from here its over to DART to carry out its mission objectives for @DIU_x and @HypersonixAU.
 

[zandr]

https://x.com/MaxQApp/status/2026733049619136819

MaxQ  @MaxQApp
 LAUNCH ALERT
@RocketLab is prepping for an exciting HASTE launch for @HypersonixAU carrying their DART AE demonstrator. This launch will come from @NASAWallops in Virginia.
With this being a suborbital flight, there is no trajectory available, but Hazards are available in the graphic below!

[zandr]

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
We are standing down from a launch attempt today due to out-of-bounds launch commit criteria. Our next launch window for "That's Not A Knife" will be shared shortly.

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