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Revision as of 06:40, 19 April 2014 editAstRoBot (talk | contribs)4,229 edits Automatically update physical parameters of the spacecraft's orbit, see Template:Orbit for more information← Previous edit Revision as of 09:30, 3 May 2014 edit undoAstRoBot (talk | contribs)4,229 edits Automatically update physical parameters of the spacecraft's orbit, see Template:Orbit for more informationNext edit →
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| orbit_epoch = 4 April 2014, 23:56:02&nbsp;UTC<ref name="heavens-above">{{cite web|url=http://www.heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=38109|title=USA 234 - Orbit|last=Peat|first=Chris|publisher=Heavens-Above|date=4 April 2014|accessdate=19 April 2014}}</ref> | orbit_epoch = 4 April 2014, 23:56:02&nbsp;UTC<ref name="heavens-above">{{cite web|url=http://www.heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=38109|title=USA 234 - Orbit|last=Peat|first=Chris|publisher=Heavens-Above|date=4 April 2014|accessdate=3 May 2014}}</ref>
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Revision as of 09:30, 3 May 2014

USA-234
Mission typeRadar imaging
OperatorUS NRO
COSPAR ID2012-014A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.38109
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeTopaz
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Start of mission
Launch date3 April 2012, 23:12:57 (2012-04-03UTC23:12:57Z) UTC
RocketDelta IV-M+(5,2) D359
Launch siteVandenberg SLC-6
ContractorULA
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth (retrograde)
Perigee altitude1,106 kilometres (687 mi)
Apogee altitude1,115 kilometres (693 mi)
Inclination123.00 degrees
Period107.35 minutes
Epoch4 April 2014, 23:56:02 UTC

USA-234, also known as NRO Launch 25 or NROL-25, is an American reconnaissance satellite, operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in 2012, it has been identified as the second radar imaging satellite to be launched as part of the Future Imagery Architecture programme.

USA-234 was launched by United Launch Alliance, using a Delta IV carrier rocket, making its first flight in the Medium+(5,2) configuration. The rocket was launched from Space Launch Complex 6 at Vandenberg, at 23:12:57 UTC (16:12 PDT) on 3 April 2012. It was identified as NRO Launch 25, and was the nineteenth flight of a Delta IV; the vehicle was designated Delta 359, and named Electra.

The satellite's orbit and mission are officially classified, however it has been located by amateur observers in a 1,096 by 1,079 kilometres (681 by 670 mi) orbit, inclined at 123 degrees.

References

  1. ^ Peat, Chris (4 April 2014). "USA 234 - Orbit". Heavens-Above. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  2. Krebs, Gunter. "FIA-Radar 1, 2, 3, 4". Gunter's Space Page.
  3. Ray, Justin (28 March 2012). "Delta 4 poised for one last 'first flight' milestone". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  4. Ray, Justin (4 April 2012). "Delta 4 rocket successfully lofts surveillance satellite". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  5. Krebs, Gunter. "NROL launches". Gunter's Space Page.
  6. Molczan, Ted (6 April 2012). "NROL-25: search TLE update". Seesat. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
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Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas ( , ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ).
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