Rocket Lab's recent suborbital mission successfully tested advanced hypersonic technology for the U.S. Department of Defense in November.

This suborbital mission was part of the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed (MACH-TB) project — a significant step towards accelerating hypersonic flight testing in the US.

As per the press statement, the Department of Defense can accelerate hypersonic technology development by utilizing commercial launch services for affordable component testing.

“Hypersonic technology testing is a critical need for the nation and one that we’re proud to be serving with our test launches,” said Brian Rogers, Rocket Lab’s Vice President Global Launch Services.

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Two back-to-back missions

The mission was launched from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at Wallops Island, Virginia, on November 24th.

The mission rode on HASTE, a suborbital adaptation of Rocket Lab's reliable Electron rocket.

Interestingly, Rocket Lab achieved a remarkable feat by launching two missions in less than 24 hours.

The first mission involved a suborbital flight to test hypersonic technology, while the second successfully deployed five satellites into orbit.

Less than 22 hours after the first launch, an Electron rocket deployed five Internet of Things satellites into orbit for the French company Kinéis.

Rocket Lab's "Ice AIS Baby" mission was a major milestone, as it marked the 200th satellite launched by their Electron rocket.

This achievement highlights the reliability and efficiency of the 59-foot-tall (18-meter) Electron — a relatively small but powerful rocket.

"Mission success. 2 launches in less than 24 hours from 2 pads in 2 different hemispheres," Rocket Lab posted on X.

As per Space.com, Electron has launched 54 times, with 13 launches this year.

Before the recent November 24th launch, HASTE had only flown once. Reportedly, this inaugural flight, dubbed "HASTE A La Vista," took place in June 2023 from the same launch pad at Wallops Island.

Use of the HASTE platform

For some time, Rocket Lab kept the details of its November 24th HASTE mission confidential.

This hypersonic mission utilized a new test platform with increased payload capacity and cutting-edge technology.

Rocket Lab also rapidly designed and integrated the experimental hypersonic instrumentation for the launch. This launch showcased the company's ability to deliver rapid and reliable test launches.

“Again, we broke new ground with this launch, and our ability to deliver successful tests demonstrates our commitment to working with our government and industry partners in pushing the boundaries of hypersonic innovation,” said Rogers in the press release.

The US-based Rocket Lab, which caters to launch services and space systems, has been a major player in the space industry since 2017.

They have successfully launched over 200 payloads for both private companies and government agencies from their launch facilities in the United States and New Zealand.

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