:chairbang:By Zamone Perez
Monday, Jul 18
The National Reconnaissance Agency's sixth and final mission of 2020 launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Dec. 19. (SpaceX)
WASHINGTON ― The National Reconnaissance Office, the Pentagon agency that designs, builds and operates U.S. spy satellites, said it launched the NROL-162 mission with a Rocket Lab Electron rocket on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand.
NROL-162 is the first of two missions being conducted in quick succession and in coordination with the Australian Department of Defence, with which the NRO seeks to expand its competitiveness in intelligence gathering from space, it said in a statement. The other launch will be the NROL-199 is planned for July 22.
“The NRO works with allies and partners to identify and advance common goals,” Chris Scolese, director of NRO, said in the statement. “This collaboration with Australia bolsters our partnership and strengthens the foundation for future coordination as we work to secure and expand our intelligence advantage in a competitive space environment.”
https://www.defensenews.com/2022/07/18/pentagons-national-reconnaissance-office-says-latest-launches-demonstrate-speed-agility/
