15.02.2026
"That's Not A Knife" mission payload
The "That's Not A Knife" mission payload: DART AE, a scramjet-powered aircraft developed by Australian aerospace engineering firm Hypersonix.
Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced its next launch is a dedicated mission on its HASTE rocket for the Department of War’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).
The mission, named Cassowary Vex, 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.
The HASTE launch, dubbed ‘That’s Not A Knife,” is the latest mission of the DIU and will deploy DART AE, a scramjet-powered aircraft developed by Australian aerospace engineering firm Hypersonix.
This latest HASTE launch, the Company’s fourth hypersonic test mission in under six months, 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.
Next HASTE launch details:
- Mission name: Cassowary Vex
- Launch name: That’s Not A Knife
- Launch Window Open: late February
- Customer: Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) & Hypersonix
- Launch Site: Launch Complex 2, Virginia
Quelle: Rocket Lab
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Update: 25.02.2026
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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.
Quelle: NASA
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We are GO to launch our hypersonic test mission on HASTE for the
and
. "That's Not A Knife" is scheduled for liftoff at LC-2 in Virginia tomorrow, February 25 from 4pm/1pm Eastern/Pacific.
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21:00 UTC
Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully launched its latest hypersonic test mission on its HASTE rocket for the Department of War’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) – supporting a critical national priority to advance hypersonic technology for the United States and its allies.
“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 within the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia – the second successful launch of a hypersonic test mission for the DIU in three months and 7th HASTE launch overall. The mission deployed DART AE, a scramjet-powered aircraft developed by Australian aerospace engineering firm Hypersonix, into a suborbital hypersonic flight environment at several times the speed of sound.
With 100% mission success across all HASTE launches, Rocket Lab is helping to shape a new era of hypersonic systems testing with speed and precision, lower costs, and a modern test platform that serves the Department of War’s critical technology priorities. In under two years since its inaugural launch, HASTE has rapidly established itself as a premier commercial test platform for hypersonic systems. By combining Rocket Lab’s unmatched operational speed and cadence with the versatility to support diverse mission profiles within a single test platform, HASTE is driving significant advancements in hypersonic innovation and technology readiness for the nation.
Rocket Lab’s Vice President Global Launch Services, Brian Rogers, says: “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.”
Hypersonix CEO, Matt Hill, says: “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” is Rocket Lab’s third launch of the year with 100% mission success and 82nd launch overall, maintaining the global superiority of Rocket Lab’s small-lift launch capabilities across government and commercial missions.
Quelle: Rocket Lab