Rocket Lab will launch the NROL-123 mission in March

Rocket Lab, a space launch service provider, has announced its next mission – NROL-123 to liftoff in March this year using the Electron rocket.

The mission called “Live and Let Fly” will be Rocket Lab’s first contract with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) that will lift off from the U.S.

The launch will take place from Launch Complex 2, a dedicated launch site for the Electron rocket at Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

Live and Let Fly launch service was acquired using NRO’s Rapid acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) contract. RASR allows the NRO to explore new opportunities for launching small satellites through a streamlined, commercial approach.

NRO missions aim at providing information to over a million government users including members of security and intelligence, two dozen domestic agencies, the military, lawmakers, and decision-makers.

The launch is currently scheduled for March 20th, 2024 and a launch window is not yet announced.

(source – RocketLab)