That's Not A Knife

Stats

• 3rd launch for Rocket Lab in 2026.
• 82nd overall launch for Rocket Lab.

Payload info:

Rocket Lab mission page

NextSpaceflight:

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.

Previous mission: Bridging The Swarm

Next mission: Insight At Speed Is A Friend Indeed

Go no-go poll is complete, they are go for launch.

Hold called at T-2:55.

Edit: Culprit is upper level winds. Countdown recycle for launch later in the window is possible.

New T-0 set for 18:30 local time.

Second go no-go poll is complete, they are once again go for launch, pending approval of the launch director.

Edit: And approved.

Strongback has retracted.

Second hold called at T-2:56.

New (and final) T-0 of the window set for 19:00 local time.

Liftoff!

No second stage on this mission, payload will deploy shortly after MECO. No camera views at the request of their customer.

MECO confirmed.

Edit: We didn't hear the mission control rollouts, but fairing jettison and payload deploy should be happened around now.

Edit2: Webcast ending.