Rocket Lab launched its 28th Electron rocket on the “Wise One Looks Ahead” mission, also designated National Reconnaissance Office Launch (NROL)-162. NROL-162 is the first of two back-to-back Electron missions for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). “Wise One Looks Ahead” launched at 02:30 AM Eastern on July 13 from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1A.
This mission was Rocket Lab’s sixth mission of 2022, the third Electron NRO mission, and the third mission under the NRO’s Rapid Acquisition of Small Rocket (RASR) contracts.