Birds of a Feather (NROL-151)

Rocket Lab's Electron rocket launched the classified 'Birds of a Feather' mission for the US National Reconnaissance Office under the Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket contract, designated NROL-151. Rocket Lab also conducted a guided reentry test of the first stage during descent.

Outcome

Success

Orbit

LEO

Low Earth orbit

Payload to orbit

150 kg (est.)

Flight

11th

of 89 Electron flights

Date and time

31 January 2020, 02:56 UTC

Rocket

Electron

Builder

Rocket Lab

Launch site

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

Payload

Government/Top Secret

International designator

2020-007

Launches in 2020

7th of 114

See it in orbit

Space Atlas shows the satellites and rocket stages from this launch in 3D.

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