Rocket Lab successfully launched the Bubbles mission on April 22, 2026, as part of its Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE) program. The mission was conducted as a sub-orbital flight carrying a classified government payload. While specific details regarding the payload and scientific objectives remain under wraps due to the classified nature of the mission, the HASTE program represents Rocket Lab's expansion into hypersonic testing and development capabilities beyond traditional orbital operations.

The Electron rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 2 at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia at midnight UTC on April 22, 2026. This marked the company's seventh mission of 2026 and its 86th overall Electron launch. The Wallops site has become an important East Coast launch facility for Rocket Lab's operations, enabling rapid deployment of small-lift vehicles for both commercial and government clients.

The launch concluded successfully, demonstrating Rocket Lab's continued operational reliability and capability in executing government-contracted missions. The achievement marked another milestone in the company's diversification into suborbital hypersonic testing, complementing its established orbital launch services and positioning Rocket Lab as a comprehensive launch solutions provider for national security applications.