The first of the two satellites, which will be used to gather intelligence on allied nations, was launched two weeks ago. The Australian Department of Defense has not announced the successful launch of the first satellite or the launch date of the second. The US spy agency, the National Bureau of Reconnaissance, celebrates the ‘Antipodean Adventure’, which features a crocodile, a rocket and an eagle in its logo. Some in the space industry are confused by the lack of information and fanfare from the Australian side. Malcolm Davies, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and a space expert, said there was a “very different culture” in the US military, which actively promotes its work, and the Australian military, which is “closed”. “It’s not just these particular satellites, it’s an attitude within Defense that they’re very closed,” he said. “The Americans are way ahead. Just look at how they support movies like Top Gun: Maverick. It’s a very different culture and it’s frustrating down here.” LAUNCH UPDATE: They say good things come to those who wait, and we have to agree. 🚀 Software updates are complete and we are now aiming for no earlier than 1am. EDT / 5 a.m. UTC, August 2nd for the launch of our #NROL199 mission on a @RocketLab Electron rocket from New Zealand. https://t.co/nH7o5BfLAD — NRO (@NatReconOfc) July 28, 2022 The first satellite, NROL-162, features a neck lizard patch. “The ring-necked lizard is a reptile found mainly in northern Australia and very similar to the lizard, it represents the small, agile nature of the payload to be launched,” the NRO said. Its logo says sapiens qui prospicit: “Wise is he who looks ahead.” The second, NROL-199, has a dingo: “Represents a small to medium-sized canine built for speed, agility and endurance.” Its logo reads ad astra per aspera: “Through difficulties to the stars.” New Zealand’s Rocket Lab provides the rockets to deliver the classified payloads into orbit from the launch site on the Māhia Peninsula. The location of the Mahia Peninsula is seen in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand at the top of Hawkes Bay The NRO’s mission is to “produce intelligence products” for politicians and “warfighters” as well as for civilian use. A Defense spokesman said the department worked with the NRO on “two space missions as part of a wide range of collaborative satellite activities”. As Defense Minister, Peter Dutton announced Australia’s intention to work with the NRO to build a “more capable, integrated and resilient space architecture designed to provide global coverage to support a wide range of intelligence mission requirements”. Earlier this year it announced a separate plan to develop a surveillance satellite with Queensland company Gilmour Space Technologies to be launched next year. The NRO projects precede Defense Project 799. The federal government has committed $500 million to DEF-799, to “enhance Australia’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance space capabilities in support of Australian Defense Force operations around the world and at home”. “The next goal is to build our own satellites,” Davis said. “So these are important steps … these are like intermediate tests that we’ve developed codified with the Americans.” The Defense spokesman said details of the payloads and satellite missions were “protected”. “Defence will continue to enhance Australia’s ability to produce military results using the space sector,” they said. “This will be achieved through efforts that include developing capabilities resistant to restricted environments and ensuring access to space.” The launch of NROL-199 was originally scheduled for July 22 but was delayed due to software problems.
