NRO, Northrop Grumman, Space Force Successfully Launch Classified Mission

Northrop Grumman successfully launched the Minotaur IV rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility this week in partnership with the U.S. Space Force (USSF) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

On Wednesday, July 15, at 9:46 a.m. EDT, Northrop Grumman's Minotaur IV rocket successfully launched from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport's (MARS) pad 0B on Wallops Island. The launch window was initially opened at 9:00 a.m. but it was delayed for over 40 minutes because of wayward boats that first had to be cleared from the downrange hazard area.

The mission, dubbed NROL-129, was carried out through a collaboration between partners. The payload was developed and built by the NRO, the rocket was provided by Northrop Grumman and, USSF provided the launch services.

"NROL-129 represents a collaboration between the NRO and our industry partners to design, build, launch and operate a system of satellites that will demonstrate revolutionary capabilities of value to the nation and our allies," NRO director Dr. Chris Scolese said in a news release issued by NASA. "Despite facing challenges in 2020, we have found new and better ways to collaborate with our partners from a distance, relentlessly pursuing our mission and denying sanctuary to our adversaries."

NROL-129 carried four classified payloads "designed, built and operated" by the NRO, which is the government agency responsible for developing, launching and operating America's intelligence satellites for national security. Given the nature of the mission, the agency did not provide further information or specifics but, in a press kit for the mission, explained that NRO uses a "variety of satellites" in order to provide a "hybrid overhead architecture designed to provide global coverage."

The successful mission also marked several firsts for the parties involved. For instance, it was the first USSF mission from Wallops Flight Facility and the NRO's first dedicated launch from Wallops. As for the Minotaur, NROL-129 is the first Minotaur mission from Wallops in seven years.

NROL-129 is the 54th NRO launch since 1996. Two other NRO missions are scheduled for launches in August and September, both from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

"We have a long record of developing, delivering, launching & operating the world's most advanced space collection systems & capabilities in support of national security, & we're happy to add our first dedicated launch from the Virginia Space Coast to that history," Col. Chad Davis of the Office of Space Launch said in a statement.