Rocket Lab’s HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) is a modified Electron rocket for suborbital hypersonic testing. It is a liquid-fueled launch vehicle designed to provide cost-effective and high-cadence testing of hypersonic technologies for the U.S. Department of Defense. The mission is for a confidential customer, with no additional details known.
HASTE is a modified version of Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket, using much of the same technology. It is designed to support a variety of suborbital test trajectories and provide a commercial testing capability at a lower cost compared to full-scale tests.
A specialized design features a tailored third stage for re-entry conditions and precise control, and can achieve different trajectories like direct inject or boost glide.
The forecast calls for a temperature of 80°F, few clouds, 24% cloud cover and a wind speed of 11mph.
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 within the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia is the launch site for HASTE. Tailored specifically for technology demonstration missions, HASTE launches from Wallops carry on the extensive tradition of suborbital launch from Virginia’s coast and stands ready to serve the current and future technology needs of hypersonic and suborbital test missions.
Rocket Lab’s explanation about launch delay of super secret government mission of JAKE 4 HASTE is precisely because it’s “a super secret government mission” … nuff said
The explanation of the delay of JAKE 4 HASTE launch is because it’s a “super secret government mission”. And, due to the mission’s nature, specific details about the hold are not publicly available. The mission is a Rocket Lab launch of the Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE). The launch was originally scheduled for Sunday, July 13th, from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 at Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia.
Rocket Lab launch of JAKE 4 HASTE on super secret government mission on hold
Rocket Lab is scheduled to launch their Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE) into low Earth orbit on Sunday, July 13 from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (Launch Area 0 C), Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia. The cost of the mission is $7.5 million. This is Rocket Lab’s 69th mission, and the 11th mission in 2025.
Rocket Lab’s Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE) is a modified version of the Electron rocket, designed to support a diverse range of suborbital trajectories for various clients, primarily in the defense sector.
The vehicle, code name “Jake 4” appears to be a hypersonic re-entry vehicle equipped with air-breathing propulsion capabilities. Following an initial exo-atmospheric ballistic trajectory, it can activate an air-breathing engine upon re-entry to modify its trajectory and leverage atmospheric effects for precise maneuvering toward its intended target. By analyzing published hazard zones in comparison to known Electron launch profiles, an approximate trajectory for the HASTE mission can be inferred.
The forecast calls for a temperature of 80°F, broken clouds, 75% cloud cover and a wind speed of 8mph.