this post was submitted on 27 Feb 2026
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Rocket Lab

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Rocket Lab "That's Not A Knife" launch thread (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works to c/rocketlab
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That's Not A Knife

| Scheduled for (UTC) | 2026-02-28 00:00:00 | |

|

| | Scheduled for (EST) | 2026-02-27 19:00:00 | | Launch site | Rocket Lab LC-2, Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA | | Booster recovery | No | | Launch vehicle | Electron (HASTE) | | Customer | Hypersonix Launch Systems | | Payload | DART AE | | Mass | 300 kg | | Target orbit | Suborbital |

| Stream | Link | |

|

| | Rocket Lab (official) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQru-Ol7DWU | | Space Affairs | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPizYVXcn_s | | The Launch Pad | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h2RBkuHOzI | | Everyday Astronaut | https://www.youtube.com/@EverydayAstronaut/streams |

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

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[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Hold called at T-2:55.

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

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 5 months ago

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

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

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

Edit: And approved.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 months ago

Strongback has retracted.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 months ago

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

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 months ago

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

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 months ago

Liftoff!

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 months ago

Second hold called at T-2:56.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

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.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 months ago

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