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Electron | VICTUS HAZE Puma

Electron launched the VICTUS HAZE Puma mission for Rocket Lab from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand on Jun 19, 2026 (UTC).

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Launch pad

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A · Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

Electron | VICTUS HAZE Puma

Launched Jun 19, 2026 7:19:00 PMSuccess

1 object in orbit now

Flight direction

190° S

measured from the launched orbit · inclination 97.4°

Flight path

First-stage drop zone (rough estimate)

Drawn 400–700 km downrange along the flight direction. Official hazard areas are published as NOTAMs and navigational warnings.

About the mission

VICTUS HAZE will see Rocket Lab design, build, launch, and operate a rendezvous proximity operation (RPO) capable spacecraft. U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC)’s Space Safari’s VICTUS HAZE mission will be an exercise of a realistic threat-response scenario and on-orbit space domain awareness (SDA) demonstration. Once the spacecraft build is complete, Rocket Lab will be entered into a Hot Standby Phase awaiting further direction. Once the exercise begins, Rocket Lab will be given notice to launch the spacecraft into a target orbit. After reaching orbit, the spacecraft will be rapidly commissioned and readied for operations. Rocket Lab will configure a Pioneer class spacecraft bus to meet the unique requirements of the VICTUS HAZE mission. The mission will improve Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) processes and timelines, demonstrating the ability to respond to on-orbit threats on very short timelines and validating techniques for space domain awareness (SDA) and on-orbit characterization. Rocket Lab’s constellation-class production capability and discriminating technical capabilities in the areas of in-space propulsion, precision attitude control, low latency communications, and autonomous operations are key enablers for this mission.

Mission description from Launch Library 2.

Objects from this launch still in orbit

Launch time (your time zone)
Fri, Jun 19 · 7:19:00 PM
Status
Success
Launch provider
Rocket Lab
Rocket
Electron
Mission type
Government/Top Secret
Target orbit
LEO
Launch pad
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A · Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand