Global Sourcing Spotlight: Tariffs—The New Reality
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Gold Mitigation for Class 2 Electronics
Punching Out: Your Financial Preparation for a Sale
Rocket Lab to Launch NRO Mission from Wallops, Virginia
February 21, 2024 | BUSINESS WIREEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. , a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it will launch a dedicated mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) from Launch Complex 2 in Wallops, Virginia, during a launch window that opens March 20th, 2024.
The NROL-123 mission, called ‘Live and Let Fly’, will be Rocket Lab’s first launch for the NRO from the United States after previously launching four NRO missions from Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula. It will be Rocket Lab’s 4th mission from Launch Complex 2, a dedicated pad for the Electron rocket located at Virginia Spaceport Authority's Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
“Electron has been providing reliable access to orbit for the NRO since 2020 and we’re honored to once again provide critical launch capability, this time from U.S. soil,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. “The ability to reliably launch national security missions from pads in two countries is a unique one that offers a rare level of responsiveness and resiliency for small satellite launch. We’re immensely proud to deliver this capability to the NRO, enabling them to maintain the nation’s advantage in space.”
The ‘Live and Let Fly’ launch service was acquired using NRO’s Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) contract. RASR enables the NRO to explore new opportunities for launching small satellites through a streamlined, commercial approach. NRO missions provide critical information to more than a half-million government users, including every member of the Intelligence Community, two dozen domestic agencies, the military, lawmakers, and decision makers.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Proposed NASA Budget Redirects Funding Toward Mars, Ends Key Programs
05/06/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamThe Trump administration has proposed a $6 billion reduction to NASA’s budget for FY 2026, with $1 billion redirected toward Mars-focused programs. According to a discretionary budget document published on NASA’s website, the plan shifts resources toward returning to the Moon ahead of China and initiating a human mission to Mars.
Lockheed Martin Completes Orion Development for Artemis II Moon Mission
05/05/2025 | Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin has completed assembly and testing of NASA's Orion Artemis II spacecraft, transferring possession to NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) team.
Northrop Grumman’s Minotaur IV Rocket Successfully Launches National Security Payload for National Reconnaissance Office
04/21/2025 | Northrop GrummanNorthrop Grumman Corporation successfully launched the NROL-174 mission on a Minotaur IV rocket for the National Reconnaissance Office from Space Launch Complex 8 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Minotaur IV is part of Northrop Grumman’s Minotaur family of vehicles that combines U.S. government-supplied rocket motors with the company’s proven commercial launch capabilities.
Rocket Lab Onramped to Multi-Billion Dollar U.S. and U.K. Defense Contracts
04/15/2025 | BUSINESS WIRERocket Lab USA, Inc., a global leader in launch services and space systems, announced it has been selected to provide hypersonic test launch capability with its HASTE launch vehicle, engineering expertise, and other services through its participation in two multi-billion dollar government development programs for the United States and the United Kingdom.
Eighth Lockheed Martin-Built GPS III Satellite Arrives in Florida for Final Launch Preparations
04/08/2025 | Lockheed MartinThe eighth Lockheed Martin-designed and -built Global Positioning System (GPS) III space vehicle (SV08) for the U.S. Space Force has successfully arrived in Florida to begin final preparations for a launch in late spring 2025.