Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Celebrates Successful Launch of "Don't Be Such A Square" Mission for U.S. Space Force and Department of War
WALLOPS ISLAND, Virginia. December 18, 2025 - The Virginia Spaceport Authority (VSA) capped off a landmark year with another successful launch from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), as Rocket Lab’s "Don't Be Such A Square" mission took off from Pad 0-C on December 18.
Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle lifted off from MARS, carrying research experiments and technology demonstrations to orbit for the Department of War. This mission was part of the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command, Space Test Program-30 (STP-S-30) and will advance critical research initiatives for next-generation space technologies.
“The ‘Don't Be Such A Square’ mission is another example of how VSA is enabling cutting-edge experimentation and demonstrations that contribute directly to the future of national security space systems development.” said VSA CEO and Executive Director Roosevelt Mercer Jr., Maj. Gen., USAF (ret.). “We are proud to support Rocket Lab and our federal partners in driving innovation that strengthens the nation’s space capabilities.”
With this launch, VSA concludes a successful 2025 and looks ahead to more launches from Virginia in 2026.
The Virginia Spaceport Authority (officially known as the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority) is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia. VSA owns and operates the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) located at Wallops Island, Va., USA. VSA provides assured access to space by operating, maintaining, and growing a premier spaceport, stimulating aerospace-related economic development in the Commonwealth, and promoting educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
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