HASTE Rocket Makes First Successful Suborbital Launch

The first HASTE rocket was launched successfully from Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 2 at Wallops Island, VA last week.

“The success of this mission demonstrates collaboration across government and industry partners to change the paradigm in hypersonic testing.”

Brian Rogers, Rocket Lab

The HASTE ((Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) suborbital launch vehicle is derived from the company’s Electron rocket but has a modified Kick Stage for hypersonic payload deployment, a larger payload capacity of up to 1,540 lbs, and options for tailored fairings to accommodate larger payloads, including air-breathing, ballistic re-entry, boost-glide, and space-based applications payloads. By leveraging the heritage of Rocket Lab’s low-cost Electron, HASTE offers true commercial testing capability at a fraction of the cost of current full-scale tests.

HASTE Rocket Demonstrates Government/Industry Collaboration

“The success of this mission demonstrates collaboration across government and industry partners to change the paradigm in hypersonic testing,” said Brian Rogers, Senior Director of Global Launch Services. “HASTE enables the frequent, affordable flight testing needed to advance the nation’s hypersonic technology development, and we’re proud to be delivering this vital capability. We thank our mission partners for entrusting us with this inaugural mission and look forward to continuing our partnership into the future.”

The HASTE rocket will be primarily operated under Rocket Lab National Security (RLNS), the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary created to serve the unique needs of the U.S. defense and intelligence community and its allies. Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 within the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia is the launch site for HASTE.

The launch vehicle is designed to accelerate hypersonic research and development, reduce costs, and increase cadence. Its proven advanced technology includes a carbon composite structure and 3D printed Rutherford engines. It is able to deploy suborbital payloads from low hypersonic, high hypersonic, and orbital re-entry velocities, and is fully operationalized to meet high-cadence flight test demands.

The launch was conducted for an undisclosed customer.

(Source: Rocket Lab news release. Images provided and from file)