This is an old revision of this page, as edited by AstRoBot (talk | contribs) at 09:30, 3 May 2014 (Automatically update physical parameters of the spacecraft's orbit, see Template:Orbit for more information). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 09:30, 3 May 2014 by AstRoBot (talk | contribs) (Automatically update physical parameters of the spacecraft's orbit, see Template:Orbit for more information)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Mission type | Radar imaging |
|---|---|
| Operator | US NRO |
| COSPAR ID | 2012-014A  |
| SATCAT no. | 38109 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Topaz |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 3 April 2012, 23:12:57 (2012-04-03UTC23:12:57Z) UTC |
| Rocket | Delta IV-M+(5,2) D359 |
| Launch site | Vandenberg SLC-6 |
| Contractor | ULA |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth (retrograde) |
| Perigee altitude | 1,106 kilometres (687 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 1,115 kilometres (693 mi) |
| Inclination | 123.00 degrees |
| Period | 107.35 minutes |
| Epoch | 4 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
- ^ Peat, Chris (4 April 2014). "USA 234 - Orbit". Heavens-Above. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- Krebs, Gunter. "FIA-Radar 1, 2, 3, 4". Gunter's Space Page.
- Ray, Justin (28 March 2012). "Delta 4 poised for one last 'first flight' milestone". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- Ray, Justin (4 April 2012). "Delta 4 rocket successfully lofts surveillance satellite". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- Krebs, Gunter. "NROL launches". Gunter's Space Page.
- 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 ( / ). Crewed flights are underlined. Launch failures are marked with the † sign. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are (enclosed in parentheses). | |
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