NROL

162 199

NEW ZEALAND
NRO Mission

For sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and 

operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s 

advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified and resilient 

architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best 

space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance 

content on the planet. NRO data supports the National Security 

Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and other 

NRO mission partners to produce intelligence products for the 

President, Congress, national policymakers, warfighters, and civil 

users. The NRO’s hybrid overhead architecture designed to provide 

global coverage against a wide range of intelligence requirements, 

carry out research and development efforts, and assist emergency 

and disaster-relief efforts in the U.S. and around the world.

photos courtesy of

Rocket Lab and NRO
1 | NROL-162-199 LAUNCH PRESS KIT

INNOVATING FASTER TO STAY ABOVE ALL THREATS

In the NROL-162 patch, the frilled neck 

lizard is a reptile primarily located in 

northern Australia and much like the lizard, 

it represents the small, agile nature of 

the payload to be launched. NROL-162 

is significant for NRO as the Australian 

Department of Defence is a project partner, 

and the frilled neck lizard chosen for the logo 

recognizes Australia’s involvement. For the 

Australian Department of Defence, this is an 

opportunity to partner with an experienced 

space acquisition organization as it prepares 

to acquire its own national security satellite 

capability towards the end of the decade. 

Hence the Latin term, Sapiens Qui Prospicit; 

”Wise is the person who looks ahead.” 

In the NROL-199 patch, the dingo is an 

Australian native mammal primarily located 

in northern Australia. It represents a small to 

medium-sized canine built for speed, agility, 

and stamina. These qualities are reflected 

in the payload to be launched. For the NRO, 

this launch will provide the capability to serve 

our current and future customers, and for 

the Australian Department of Defence, it 

builds on the opportunity to partner with an 

experienced space acquisition organization. 

Hence the Latin term, Ad Astra Per Aspera; 

“Through hardships to the Stars” 

To read more about NRO launches and 

previous patches, visit www.NRO.gov/launch

NROL-162 & 199

The National Reconnaissance Office is scheduled to launch the NROL-162 & 199 

missions aboard a pair of Rocket Lab Electron rockets from Mahia Peninsula, New 

Zealand. These missions demonstrate NRO’s capability to launch multiple rockets 

from overseas locations back-to-back, and both carry national security payloads 

designed, built, and operated by NRO. NROL-162 & 199 are NRO’s third and fourth 

launch of 2022, and are part of more than a half-dozen planned launches for the year.
2 | NROL-162-199 LAUNCH PRESS KIT

NROL-162 199

Rocket & Launch Facts

Electron is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured 

by Rocket Lab for dedicated access to space of small 

satellites. This will be the 27th and 28th launch of the 

Electron rocket. 

Rutherford Engine(s)

Proven performance. The world’s first 3D-printed,

electric-pump-fed rocket engine.

First Stage

- 9 Sea-level Rutherford Engines

-Lift-off Thrust: 190 kN (43,000 lbf)

- Peak Thrust: 224 kN (56,000 lbf)

- ISP: 311 seconds

Interstage

Pneumatic Pusher 

Second Stage

- Single Vacuum Rutherford Engine

- Total Thrust: 25.8 kN (5,800 lbf)

- ISP: 343 seconds

Kick Stage

Electron’s unique Kick Stage is designed to deliver 

small satellites to precise and unique orbits, 

whether flying as dedicated or rideshare.

- Deployment of payloads at multiple planes/inclinations

- Higher altitude deployment

- Hosted payload support

- Multiple trajectory changes

- Sustained low altitude orbits

- Deorbiting payloads to eliminate space debris

FAIRING

PAYLOAD

PLATE

KICK STAGE

SECOND 

STAGE

PARACHUTE & 

RECOVERY SYSTEM

INTERSTAGE

FIRST STAGE

POWER PACK

9X RUTHERFORD 

SEA LEVEL ENGINES

RUTHERFORD 

VACUUM ENGINE
3 | NROL-162-199 LAUNCH PRESS KIT

NROL-162 199

Site Info

Rocket Lab offers the world’s only private orbital launch range in Mahia, New Zealand. An FAA-licensed 

spaceport, Launch Complex 1 can provide up to 120 launch opportunities every year. From the site it is 

possible to reach orbital inclinations from sun-synchronous through to 30 degrees, enabling a wide spectrum 

of inclinations to service the majority of the satellite industry’s missions to low Earth orbit. 
4 | NROL-162-199 LAUNCH PRESS KIT

INNOVATING FASTER TO STAY ABOVE ALL THREATS

Recent Success

The NRO is the best in the world at providing 

overhead intelligence, surveillance, and 

reconnaissance to more than 

a half-million government users

—including every member of the 

Intelligence Community, two dozen 

domestic agencies, our nation’s 

military, lawmakers, and 

decision makers.

Visit www.NRO.gov to view 

launch press releases.

NROL-87 booster return at VSFB, 

February 2022.

In February 2022, NRO launched the 

NROL-87 mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 

9 for the first launch of 2022. The rocket 

body from NROL-87 was used during 

NROL-85, an NRO first. NROL-85 was 

also the second SpaceX Falcon 9 launch 

produced through the National Security 

Space Launch Contract.
5 | NROL-162-199 LAUNCH PRESS KIT

INNOVATING FASTER TO STAY ABOVE ALL THREATS

Photo Credit: Kieran Fanning & Sam Toms

Future Launches

NRO has a busy launch year planned for 2022, with more 

than a half-dozen dozen payloads scheduled for orbit. Our 

next mission is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg 

Space Force Base in early August. Millions of people 

depend on the vital intelligence NRO capabilities provide 

every day. Additional information on upcoming launches 

will be made available at www.NRO.gov.

WWW.NRO.GOV

MEDIA@NRO.MIL

703.808.1198

 @NATIONALRECONNAISSANCEOFFICE

@NATRECONOFC

@NATRECONOFC 

FOLLOW ON TWITTER FOR LIVE UPDATES 

ON LAUNCH DAY

NATIONALRECONNAISSANCEOFFICE
NRO/OPA [10120] ID 3.22