Rocket Lab is scheduled to hold its 11th launch, and first of the year, on February 3rd. The launch will bring cargo form the National Reconnaissance Office into orbit. The project was titled NROL-151 and was announced recently. Betty Sap, the NRO director, stated that the NRO will, "explore what the tiny rocket marketplace can provide for us."
Additionally, Lars Hoffman, the Rocket Lab SVP, spoke about the new mission with the NRO, "As the industry shifts toward the disaggregation of large, geostationary spacecraft, Electron enables unprecedented access to space to support a resilient layer of government small satellite infrastructure."
If the launch is successful it is possible that the two organizations could continue working together in the future.
Payload-Transporting Space Missions
Rocket Lab Collaborated with the NRO for Its First 2020 Launch
Trend Themes
1. Payload-transporting Space Missions - The collaboration between Rocket Lab and the NRO highlights the trend of payload-transporting space missions.
Industry Implications
1. Rocket Lab - Rocket Lab's collaboration with the NRO presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the space launch industry.
2. National Reconnaissance Office - The NRO's exploration of the tiny rocket marketplace opens up opportunities for disruptive innovation in the government small satellite infrastructure industry.