This article was in the NZ Herald, 4/8/22, headlined "Rocket Lab Stages Second NRO Launch, Nabs US Missile Defence Contract". The payload was a joint US/Australian spy satellite (the second such launch by Rocket Lab). The NRO is the National Reconnaissance Office, which operates the US spy satellite programme. Lockheed Martin is the world's biggest arms manufacturer, including nuclear weapons. Ed.

"Rocket Lab successfully launched its second mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) - a US military intelligence agency - (on August 4). The Kiwi-American firm had been planning two launches within ten days for the NRO, utilising its new Pad B at Mahia for back-to-back missions. That would have broken its existing fast-turnaround record of two launches within three weeks (set with missions for Black Sky on November 18 and December 9, 2021)".

"But it was not to be. After the first launch for the NRO on July 13, the US agency called a pause on the second launch, originally scheduled for July 22, to give it time for a software update. Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck told the Herald there were no issues at Rocket Lab's end. The second launch was rescheduled for August 2, then postponed until August 4 due to high winds. 'These twin missions are a demonstration of responsive space and will carry national security payloads designed, built and operated by the NRO, in partnership with the Australian Department of Defence', Rocket Lab said".

"Separately, Rocket Lab said it had won a contract to supply components for an upgrade to the US military's missile defence system. Through its New Mexico-based SolAero subsidiary (bought for US$80 million in December 2021) Rocket Lab will supply radiation-hardened solar cells that will power three Lockheed Martin 'Next GEN OPIR GEO (NGG)' satellites being built for the US Air Force's new US Space Force wing (USSF). 'The NGG programme will deliver resilient global missile warning capabilities to counter emerging missile and counter-space threats and is part of the latest evolution of the USSF's missile warning system'. Rocket Lab won't disclose the value of the contract".