Rocket Lab Prepares To Launch Latest Hypersonic Test Mission for Defense Innovation Unit
Rhea-AI Summary
Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) will conduct a dedicated HASTE hypersonic test mission named Cassowary Vex for the Defense Innovation Unit and Hypersonix, scheduled no earlier than late February from Launch Complex 2 at Wallops Island, Virginia.
The mission, called “That’s Not A Knife,” will deploy the scramjet-powered DART AE and marks Rocket Lab’s fourth hypersonic test in under six months, with HASTE supporting flight profiles up to Mach 20.
Positive
- Fourth hypersonic test in under six months
- HASTE flights support profiles up to Mach 20
- Customer engagement from Defense Innovation Unit and Hypersonix
- Launch scheduled from Launch Complex 2, Wallops Island in late February
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
RKLB showed a -3.35% move while peers were mixed: ESLT +0.8%, CW +0.35%, TXT +0.76%, versus declines in BWXT -3.01% and WWD -3.19%, pointing to stock-specific dynamics.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 29 | Launch success | Positive | -3.3% | Successful Electron launch placing KAIST NEONSAT-1A into low Earth orbit. |
| Jan 26 | Earnings date set | Neutral | -9.5% | Announcement of Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings release and call timing. |
| Jan 26 | Neutron hardware milestone | Positive | -9.5% | Hungry Hippo Neutron fairing arrival at Virginia site ahead of first flight. |
| Jan 22 | Launch success | Positive | +0.2% | First 2026 Electron launch for Open Cosmos deploying two satellites to orbit. |
| Jan 21 | Test incident | Negative | -1.5% | Neutron Stage 1 tank rupture during hydrostatic qualification test and review. |
Operational launch successes have sometimes coincided with negative price reactions, while clearly adverse testing news has seen more modest declines.
Over the past month, RKLB has reported multiple successful missions and development milestones. Launches for Open Cosmos and KAIST expanded its track record, while Neutron development advanced with the Hungry Hippo fairing arrival but also faced a Stage 1 tank rupture on Jan 21. An earnings date announcement on Jan 26 preceded a notable share decline. Today’s hypersonic test mission news fits the pattern of frequent government and commercial launch activity amid ongoing Neutron program risk.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights another dedicated HASTE hypersonic test for the Defense Innovation Unit, featuring deployment of Hypersonix’s DART AE and flight profiles up to Mach 20. It represents the fourth hypersonic test mission in under six months, reinforcing RKLB’s role in national security launch and test infrastructure. Investors may watch how this cadence translates into longer-term defense relationships, Neutron program progress, and upcoming earnings disclosures.
Key Terms
hypersonic technical
launch window technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
LONG BEACH, Calif., Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced its next launch is a dedicated mission on its HASTE rocket for the Department of War’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).
The mission, named Cassowary Vex, is scheduled to launch no earlier than late February from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 within the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia.
The HASTE launch, dubbed ‘That’s Not A Knife,” is the latest mission of the DIU and will deploy DART AE, a scramjet-powered aircraft developed by Australian aerospace engineering firm Hypersonix.
This latest HASTE launch, the Company’s fourth hypersonic test mission in under six months, reflects Rocket Lab’s investment in restoring the nation’s hypersonic test capabilities through its commercial speed, innovation, and execution - a critical priority for the Department of War. By lowering cost barriers and increasing the test launch tempo for the United States and its allies, HASTE gives testers unprecedented control over flight profiles and environments up to Mach 20 – a commercial capability that remains unmatched globally and expands and secures U.S. space superiority.
Next HASTE launch details:
- Mission name: Cassowary Vex
- Launch name: That’s Not A Knife
- Launch Window Open: late February
- Customer: Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) & Hypersonix
- Launch Site: Launch Complex 2, Virginia
- More info: Launches | Rocket Lab
Visit Rocket Lab’s website and follow on social media for live launch updates: X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram. The launch broadcast will be aired live on YouTube.
Rocket Lab Media Contact
Murielle Baker
media@rocketlabusa.com
About Rocket Lab
About Rocket Lab Rocket Lab is a leading space company that provides launch services, spacecraft, payloads and satellite components serving commercial, government, and national security markets. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is the world’s most frequently launched orbital small rocket; its HASTE rocket provides hypersonic test launch capability for the U.S. government and allied nations; and its Neutron launch vehicle in development will unlock medium launch for constellation deployment, national security and exploration missions. Rocket Lab’s spacecraft and satellite components have enabled more than 1,700 missions spanning commercial, defense and national security missions including GPS, constellations, and exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and Venus. Rocket Lab is a publicly listed company on the Nasdaq stock exchange (RKLB). Learn more at www.rocketlabcorp.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at https://investors.rocketlabcorp.com which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a9abd5c2-699f-4083-947c-674425bb44d3
FAQ
When will Rocket Lab (RKLB) launch the Cassowary Vex HASTE mission?
What capability does Rocket Lab’s HASTE vehicle offer for the RKLB Cassowary Vex mission?
What payload will the RKLB ‘That’s Not A Knife’ mission deploy on Cassowary Vex?
How many hypersonic test missions has Rocket Lab (RKLB) flown recently?
How can investors and the public watch the RKLB Cassowary Vex launch live?
