Washington. July 29. INTERFAX - The Electron rocket will launch from New Zealand on August 2 into orbit with a secret mini-satellite of the US National Directorate of Military Space Intelligence NROL-199, the Rocket Lab carrier development company said.
The launch of a light two-stage rocket with a Kick Stage upper stage is planned to be carried out during the time window, which opens at 17:00 (08:00 Moscow time), from the launch pad of Rocket Lab on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand.
Data about the secret satellite is not disclosed. The company only points out that the spacecraft being put into orbit "will help the Military Space Intelligence Directorate in providing important information to government agencies and decision makers who are responsible for monitoring international problems." According to available data, we are talking about an electronic reconnaissance spacecraft.
The satellite was built and will be used by the Directorate in conjunction with the Australian Ministry of Defense.
The launch for NRO is carried out within the framework of the program for launching small satellites into orbit by commercial operators (Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR), initiated by the agency in 2018. Its main goal is the use by the US military of small carriers of private companies for the rapid launch of small cargo into space and the deployment of satellite constellations from cheap mini-satellites in low orbits.
The Electron rocket made its first flight on May 25, 2017. The current mission will be the 29th flight of the rocket, three of which were unsuccessful.
In the case of the current successful launch, the number of satellites put into orbit by Rocket Lab will reach 149 vehicles.
