Rocket Lab Readies National Security Launch for National Reconnaissance Office

August 01, 2022

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has today confirmed that the second of two back-to-back national security launches for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has been scheduled for August 2 UTC.

The NROL-199 (“Antipodean Adventure”) mission is scheduled to lift-off from Pad B at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 during a launch window opening on August 2, 05:00 UTC. This Electron mission follows on from an earlier successful launch for the NRO on July 12, 2022, which deployed the NROL-162 national security payload to orbit.

The NROL-199 mission will launch a national security payload designed, built, and operated by the NRO in partnership with the Australian Department of Defence as part of a broad range of cooperative satellite activities with Australia. The satellites will support the NRO to provide critical information to government agencies and decision makers monitoring international issues

The mission was originally scheduled for lift-off on July 22, but the launch was rescheduled to allow the NRO additional time to implement required payload software updates. This schedule shift demonstrated Rocket Lab’s responsive space capabilities, which provide customers with a high degree of flexibility over their mission, including orbit and launch timing. By operating a private launch complex, Rocket Lab doesn’t have to wait in a launch queue behind other operators and could instead quickly reschedule the launch to suit the NRO’s preferred timeline.

“Antipodean Adventure” launch details:

• Launch Window Opens: August 02, 05:00 UTC
• Launch vehicle: Electron
• Customer: National Reconnaissance Office
• Launch site: Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Pad B
• Mission type: Dedicated
• Payload: NROL-199

Real-time mission updates can be found on Rocket Lab’s Twitter @rocketlab and via www.rocketlabusa.com/missions/next-mission.

Source : Rocket Lab USA