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.[2]
| 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 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 | 1,107 kilometres (688 mi)[1] |
| Apogee altitude | 1,114 kilometres (692 mi)[1] |
| Inclination | 123.00 degrees[1] |
| Period | 107.35 minutes[1] |
| Epoch | 18 January 2015, 16:58:55 UTC[1] |
USA-234 was launched by United Launch Alliance, using a Delta IV carrier rocket, making its first flight in the Medium (5,2) configuration.[3] The rocket was launched from Space Launch Complex 6 at Vandenberg, at 23:12:57 UTC (16:12:57 PDT) on 3 April 2012.[4] 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.[5]
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.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Peat, Chris (18 January 2015). "USA 234 - Orbit". Heavens-Above. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
- ^ 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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