Rocket Lab plans 12 hypersonic test launches this year, company vice president of global launch services Brian Rogers announced. The plan highlights the company’s growing role in a U.S. initiative to accelerate advanced weapons development.
Rogers said HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) enables “low-cost, high-frequency hypersonic and missile defense testing.” HASTE is a suborbital version of Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket.
The announcement follows several major HASTE contracts, including a $266 million deal with the Space Force. The deal covers 12 suborbital launches.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) shares reportedly rose nearly 1% in overnight trading after Rogers’ comments. The gain followed five consecutive losing sessions for the stock.