Space Force launches experimental research payload March 4 A Terrier-Terrier-Oriole sounding rocket, carrying an experimental research payload for the Air Force Research Laboratory, launches March 3 from NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va. (NASA Wallops) WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force launched an experimental research payload for the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Space and Missile Systems Center announced. The AFRL payload for undisclosed research was placed onto a preplanned suborbital trajectory following its launch March 3 aboard a sounding rocket, which took off from NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The Terrier-Terrier-Oriole Sounding Rocket was built by the Space Vector Corp. and Kratos Space and Missile Defense, the latter of which provided integration, interface and mission planning for the launch.