https://spacenews.com/nro-space-miss...a-cooperation/NRO space missions mark new level of US-Australia cooperation
NROL-162 and NROL-199 carry spy satellites built and operated jointly by the U.S. and AustraliaWASHINGTON — Rocket Lab on July 13
launched the NROL-162 mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office from the company’s launch complex in New Zealand. NROL-162 is the first of two NRO missions the agency developed in partnership with the Australian Department of Defence.
The second one, NROL-199, is planned for July 22. Both missions are classified spy satellites that the U.S. intelligence agency developed jointly with the Australian government.
The partnership with Australia is part of a broader effort by the National Reconnaissance Office to have a more integrated space architecture to support U.S. and allies’ surveillance needs. The NRO recently announced a similar partnership with the United Kingdom.