https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/did-rocket-lab-s-suborbital-rocket-reach-orbitContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/did-rocket-lab-s-suborbital-rocket-reach-orbithttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/did-rocket-lab-s-suborbital-rocket-reach-orbit#u25442Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:40:43 +0000Rocket Lab won a Defense Department contract to conduct suborbital launches from Alaska. The company will use the HASTE vehicle for hypersonic testing. These missions are suborbital and not intended for orbit.What's confirmed:Rocket Lab secured a $266 million contract for suborbital launches from Alaska.The company will conduct suborbital launches for the Defense Department.Still unconfirmed:The contract covers as many as 18 test vehicles.The deal awards 12 HASTE hypersonic suborbital test launches. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/did-rocket-lab-s-suborbital-rocket-reach-orbithttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/did-rocket-lab-s-suborbital-rocket-reach-orbit#u21174Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:30:44 +0000Rocket Lab uses its HASTE vehicle as a testbed for hypersonic technology. This vehicle is a suborbital variant of the Electron rocket. The company continues to conduct these tests, including the June 2026 Curveball mission.What's confirmed:The HASTE vehicle is a suborbital variant of the Electron rocket developed for hypersonic technology development.Rocket Lab's Electron orbital rocket had completed over 75 missions as of January 2026. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/did-rocket-lab-s-suborbital-rocket-reach-orbithttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/did-rocket-lab-s-suborbital-rocket-reach-orbit#u15113Sat, 27 Jun 2026 02:11:07 +0000Rocket Lab continues to conduct hypersonic tests via its HASTE program. The company recently launched the Curveball mission from Wallops Flight Facility in June 2026. Official company statements describe these missions as suborbital.What's confirmed:Rocket Lab launched a suborbital mission in November 2024 to test hypersonic technology for the Department of Defense.A HASTE rocket launched the Curveball mission from Wallops Flight Facility on June 5, 2026.The Curveball mission experienced a scrub on June 11 before launching.Still unconfirmed:The USSF cataloged the Curveball launch despite it be https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/did-rocket-lab-s-suborbital-rocket-reach-orbithttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/did-rocket-lab-s-suborbital-rocket-reach-orbit#u10123Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:11:48 +0000Rocket Lab told Gizmodo the company never used the HASTE suborbital rocket to place an object into orbit. This statement contradicts earlier reports of the vehicle reaching low-Earth orbit. The company continues to use its Electron rocket for orbital missions.Still unconfirmed:The U.S. Army discreetly launched a satellite from New Zealand during a military exercise.Rocket Lab launched a satellite for the U.S. Space Force Victus Haze responsive space exercise. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/did-rocket-lab-s-suborbital-rocket-reach-orbithttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/did-rocket-lab-s-suborbital-rocket-reach-orbit#u5593Sat, 20 Jun 2026 05:51:41 +0000Rocket Lab issued a statement to Gizmodo regarding the Curveball mission. The company denied ever placing any object into orbit with the HASTE suborbital rocket. This contradicts previous reports that the vehicle reached low-Earth orbit.What's confirmed:Rocket Lab stated it has never placed any object into orbit using the HASTE program.The Curveball mission utilized a Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron rocket.Still unconfirmed:The HASTE vehicle reached low-Earth orbit despite its design.The mission payload is currently missing. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/did-rocket-lab-s-suborbital-rocket-reach-orbithttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/did-rocket-lab-s-suborbital-rocket-reach-orbit#u4380Fri, 19 Jun 2026 07:12:15 +0000The HASTE suborbital rocket launched on a classified government mission called Curveball. Reports indicate the vehicle reached low-Earth orbit despite not being designed for that altitude. The mission payload is currently missing.What's confirmed:The HASTE suborbital rocket flew on a secret government mission named Curveball.The Curveball mission involved a secret payload.Still unconfirmed:The HASTE rocket entered low-Earth orbit despite being a suborbital vehicle.The payload from the Curveball mission is missing.