Rocket Lab Successfully Launches Fifth National Security Mission for NRO

Rhea-AI Summary

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) successfully launched a dedicated mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) from Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, marking their first U.S. launch for NRO after four successful launches in New Zealand. The mission, named 'Live and Let Fly', took place on March 21, 2024, showcasing Rocket Lab's commitment to national security missions and innovative contract processes like RASR.

The mission was Rocket Lab’s first launch for the National Reconnaissance Office from U.S. soil following four previous successful launches for the agency from New Zealand

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully launched a dedicated mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) from Launch Complex 2 in Wallops, Virginia.

Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle lifts-off from Launch Complex 2 at NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virgnia, deploying payloads for the NRO. Image Credit Austin Adams

The NROL-123 mission, called ‘Live and Let Fly’, was launched on a Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle at 03:25 EDT on March 21, 2024. The mission was 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 was also Rocket Lab’s 4^th mission from Launch Complex 2 within Virginia Spaceport Authority's Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport and the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

“We are proud to once again deliver mission success for the NRO on Electron,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck. “The NRO have placed their trust in Rocket Lab since our first launch together in 2020 and it’s an honor to continue delivering dedicated access to orbit for national security missions, this time from the other side of the planet. The RASR contract process is an innovative, forward-leaning approach from the NRO that has allowed the agency to capitalize on the speed and responsiveness of commercial launch services and we’re thrilled to make it possible with Electron.”

The 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.

The mission was Rocket Lab’s fourth launch of 2024 and 46^th Electron launch overall.

Images and video of the launch are available for download: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBhU5m

Launch replay can he found here: www.youtube.com/live/Coa3GZtotQo?si=NlhJ0YGiCIGr_PgE

+ About Rocket Lab

Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, the Photon satellite platform, and the Company is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 180 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft platform has been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third launch pad in Virginia. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.

+ Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.rocketlabusa.com, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240321873342/en/

+ Rocket Lab Media Contact

Morgan Bailey

media@rocketlabusa.com

Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.

FAQ

When did Rocket Lab launch the 'Live and Let Fly' mission for the NRO?

Rocket Lab launched the 'Live and Let Fly' mission for the NRO on March 21, 2024, at 03:25 EDT.

Where did Rocket Lab launch the 'Live and Let Fly' mission for the NRO?

Rocket Lab launched the 'Live and Let Fly' mission for the NRO from Launch Complex 2 in Wallops, Virginia.

What is the significance of the 'Live and Let Fly' mission for Rocket Lab?

The 'Live and Let Fly' mission was Rocket Lab's first launch for the NRO from the United States, showcasing their dedication to national security missions.

What contract process did Rocket Lab utilize for the NRO mission?

Rocket Lab used the NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) contract process for the mission, enabling streamlined access to commercial launch services.

How many Electron launches has Rocket Lab completed in 2024?

Rocket Lab has completed four Electron launches in 2024, with the 'Live and Let Fly' mission being the 46th overall Electron launch.