Rocket Lab To Launch Twin Space Missions

Rocket Lab, a leading launch and space systems company, announced today that its next two launches will be responsive space missions for the National Reconnaissance Office of the United States Government.

Photo Insert: Two Electron rockets for the NRO ready for launch processing at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1.

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is a member of the United States Intelligence Community and a Department of Defense agency that designs, builds, launches, and operates the United States federal government's reconnaissance satellites and provides satellite intelligence to several government agencies.

Rocket Lab is expected to launch satellites for the NRO from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on two Electron rockets within 10 days of each other. NROL-162 will launch from Pad A of Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on or before July 12, with NROL-199 set to launch from Pad B on or before July 22.

These twin missions will be a responsive launch demonstration under the NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) contract for launching small satellites in a streamlined, commercial method, and are the third and fourth missions contracted to Rocket Lab under the contract.

“Our quick turnaround for these two national security missions will be just the latest demonstration of our responsive space capability, and we’re honored to be a trusted mission partner to the NRO once again for these important RASR missions,” explains Rocket Lab CEO and founder Peter Beck.

As part of a comprehensive range of cooperative satellite activities with Australia, the NROL-162 and NROL-199 missions will carry national security payloads planned, produced, and managed by the National Reconnaissance Office in collaboration with the Australian Department of Defence.

The satellites will help the NRO monitor worldwide concerns and give crucial information to government agencies and decision-makers.

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