NROL-151 (Birds of a Feather)

Mission

NROL-151 (Birds of a Feather)

Type: Government/Top Secret

This is a dedicated launch for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The contract was awarded under Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program.

Location

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A

Onenui Station, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

19 rockets have launched from Onenui Station, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.

Rocket

Electron

Length: 18 meters
Diameter: 1.2 meters
First Launch: May 25, 2017

Electron is a two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle (with an optional third stage) developed by the American aerospace company Rocket Lab. Electron is a small-lift launch vehicle designed to launch small satellites and cubesats to sun-synchronous orbit and low earth orbit. The Electron is the first orbital class rocket to use electric-pump-fed engines, powered by the 9 Rutherford engines on the first stage.

The Electron rocket has been launched a total of 19 times with 17 successful and 2 failed launches.

Agency

Rocket Lab Ltd

Type: Commercial
Abbreviation: RL
Administration: CEO: Peter Beck
Founded: 2006
Launchers: Electron

Country: USA

Rocket Lab is an American aerospace manufacturer with a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary. The company develops lightweight, cost-effective commercial rocket launch services. The Electron Program was founded on the premise that small payloads such as CubeSats require dedicated small launch vehicles and flexibility not currently offered by traditional rocket systems. Its rocket, the Electron, is a light-weight rocket and is now operating commercially. Electron currently launches from only Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand however they are currently looking into developing a facility in the US.