China is developing a giant railgun to launch its Tengyun spaceplane, while the US is focusing on hypersonic technology for satellite launches. The Tengyun spaceplane aims to carry crew, cargo, and release satellites into space, potentially conducting other missions such as satellite capture or surveillance. Both countries are racing to develop cost-effective methods for deploying multiple satellites quickly, with China potentially exceeding the US in tactically responsive space launch capabilities. While China's railgun-launched Tengyun may strengthen its capabilities, the US is focusing on reusable rockets to reduce launch costs.
Rocket Lab is planning a launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Accomack County, Virginia, with a window of June 15 to 20. The exact time of the launch is unknown, and there will not be a live stream or access to the Wallops Visitor Center. The launch is believed to be the first-ever liftoff of Rocket Lab's new suborbital testbed rocket, HASTE, which is designed to test technologies for hypersonic craft. HASTE can carry up to 1,540 pounds of payload and will be operated primarily by Rocket Lab National Security.
Rocket Lab is set to launch a mission from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, but there will be no livestream of the launch. The mission is believed to be the first-ever liftoff of Rocket Lab's new suborbital testbed rocket, HASTE, which is designed to test technologies for hypersonic craft. HASTE can carry up to 1,540 pounds of payload and features a modified version of Electron's "kick stage" specialized for the deployment of hypersonic payloads. The suborbital rocket is scheduled to make its debut on a mission whose details are hard to come by for a confidential customer.
Kyiv was hit by falling debris from missiles in another missile attack by Russia, but no casualties have been reported. Ukraine rejected Russia's claim of destroying the Patriot air defense system, stating that it is still mission-capable. Russian scientists working on hypersonic missile technology have been arrested for high treason, causing protests from their colleagues. Ukraine claimed to have struck down six of Russia's Kinzhal hypersonic missiles during a missile strike on Kyiv.
Three Russian academics who work on hypersonic missile technology have been arrested for high treason, drawing a rare, public outcry from Russia’s scientific community. The arrests have spread fear and warning weapons research could “collapse” as a result. The cases have been shrouded in secrecy with sparse details about the nature of their cases. Under Russian law, people found guilty of sharing state secrets face up to 20 years in jail.
