Engineering:List of NRO launches

From HandWiki
Short description: American spy satellites


The National Reconnaissance Office logo

This is a list of NRO Launch (NROL) designations for satellites operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office. Those missions are generally classified, so that their exact purposes and orbital elements are not published. However, amateur astronomers have managed to observe most of the satellites, and leaked information has led to the identification of many of the payloads.

Launch statistics

Launch vehicle families

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Launch sites

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Launch history

Launch
designation
Payload
nickname
Satellite
designation
Date/time, UTC Launch site Rocket Orbit Project Function Status Patch Remarks
L-1 Nemesis[1] USA-179 31 August 2004
23:17[2]
CCAFS, SLC-36A[2] Atlas IIAS 39,053 × 1,316 km × 63.7° (Molniya)[3] Quasar 15[4] Communications Entered service, status unknown NROL-1 Mission Patch.png
L-2 USA-129 20 December 1996
18:04
VAFB, SLC-4E Titan IV LEO KH-11 12[5] Optical imaging Deorbited Reentered on 1 May 2014.[6][7]
L-3 USA-133 24 October 1997
02:32
VAFB, SLC-4E Titan IV 679 × 666 km × 57° (LEO)[8] Lacrosse 3 Synthetic-aperture radar Entered service, status unknown
L-4 Oscar USA-136 8 November 1997
02:05
CCAFS, SLC-41 Titan IV/Centaur 36,523 × 3,849 km × 63.6° (Molniya)[9] Trumpet 3[10] ELINT Entered service, status unknown NROL-4 Mission Patch.png
L-5 Capricorn [1] USA-137 29 January 1998
18:37
CCAFS, SLC-36A Atlas IIA Molniya Quasar 12[4] Communications Entered service, status unknown NROL-5 Mission Patch.png
L-6 Jack USA-139 [11] 9 May 1998
01:38
CCAFS, SLC-40 Titan IV/Centaur 35,945 × 35,642 km × 8.4° (GSO) [12] Orion 4[13] SIGINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-6 Dragon Mission Patch.png
L-7 Elwood N/A 12 August 1998
11:30
CCAFS, SLC-41 Titan IV/Centaur GSO (planned) Mercury ELINT Destroyed "Cheers! Saving the Best for Last!!" Rocket self-destructed 40 seconds into launch due to guidance problem.[14]
L-8 USA-140, USA-141 3 October 1998
10:04
VAFB, LC-576E Taurus 1110 LEO STEX Technology Entered service, status unknown NROL-8 Mission Patch.png ATEX experiment jettisoned on 16 January 1999 and catalogued as USA-141.
L-9 USA-144[1] 22 May 1999
09:36[15]
VAFB, SLC-4E[15] Titan IVB Misty Optical imaging Entered service, status unknown NROL-9 Mission Patch.png First Titan IV-B launch from VAFB.
L-10 Ursa Major[1]
(Great Bear)
USA-155 6 December 2000
02:47[2]
CCAFS, SLC-36A Atlas IIAS 35,854 × 35,732 km × 9.3° (GSO) [16] Quasar 13[4] Communications Entered service, presumed active NROL-10 Mission Patch.png
L-11 Onyx / Vega USA-152 17 August 2000
23:45
VAFB, SLC-4E Titan IVB 695 × 689 km × 68° (LEO)[8] Lacrosse 4 SAR Entered service, status unknown NROL-11 Mission Patch.png

NROL-11 Mission Patch Alternate.png
L-12 Aquila[1] USA-162 11 October 2001
02:32 [2]
CCAFS, SLC-36B Atlas IIAS 35,803 × 35,785 km × 10.9° (GSO) [17] Quasar 14[4] Communications Entered service, presumed active NROL-12 Mission Patch.png
L-13 Gemini[1] USA-160 8 September 2001
15:25
VAFB, SLC-3E[2] Atlas IIAS 1,486 × 740 km × 63.4° (LEO) [18] Intruder 5A & 5B[19] Naval reconnaissance Entered service, status unknown NROL-13 Mission Patch.png Two satellites.
L-14 USA-161 5 October 2001
21:21
VAFB, SLC-4E Titan IVB LEO KH-11 13[5] Optical reconnaissance Deorbited NROL-14 Mission Patch.png Reentered in November 2014.[20][21]
L-15 USA-237 29 June 2012
13:15 [22]
CCAFS, SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy
(first RS-68A upgrade)
35,960 × 35,628 km × 2.8° (GSO) [23] Orion 8[24] SIGINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-15 Mission Patch.png
L-16 Prometheus USA-182[11] 30 April 2005
00:50 [25]
CCAFS, SLC-40 Titan IVB 728 × 725 km × 57.0° (LEO) [26] Lacrosse 5[8] SAR Entered service, status unknown NROL-16 Mission Patch.png
L-17 GeoLITE[1] USA-158 18 May 2001
17:45 [27]
CCAFS, SLC-17B Delta II 7925-9.5 GSO GeoLITE Technology demonstration Retired NROL-17 Mission Patch.png Boosted to graveyard orbit after end of mission.[28] Testbed for experimental laser and UHF communications payloads.[29]
L-18 Libra[1] USA-173 2 December 2003
10:04[2]
VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas IIAS 1,435 × 786 km × 63.4° (LEO) [30] Intruder 6A & B[19] Naval reconnaissance Entered service, status unknown NROL-18 Mission Patch.png Two satellites.
L-19 Homer [31] USA-171 [11] 9 September 2003
04:29 [32]
CCAFS, SLC-40 Titan IVB-Centaur 35,995 × 35,592 km × 11.4° (GSO) [33] Orion 5[24] SIGINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-19 Mission Patch.png
L-20 USA-186 [11] 19 October 2005
18:05 [34]
VAFB, SLC-4E Titan IVB 473 × 268 km × 96.9° (LEO) [35] KH-11 14[5] Optical imaging Entered service, presumed active NROL-20 Mission Patch.png Last launch of a Titan rocket.
L-21 USA-193[1] 14 December 2006
21:00 [27]
VAFB, SLC-2W Delta II 7920-10 LEO Unknown Unknown Destroyed NROL-21 Mission Patch.png Failed on orbit immediately after launch. Destroyed by ASAT on 21 February 2008.
L-22 USA-184[1] 28 June 2006
03:33
VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV M+(4,2) 38,628 × 1,740 km × 63° (Molniya) [36] Improved Trumpet 4[37] ELINT Entered service, status unknown NROL-22 Mission Patch.png
L-23 Canis Minor[1] USA-181 3 February 2005
07:41
CCAFS, SLC-36B Atlas IIIB 1,404 × 822 km × 63.4° (LEO) [38] Intruder 7A & 7B[19] Naval reconnaissance Entered service, status unknown NROL-23 Mission Patch.png Two satellites.
L-24 Scorpius[1] USA-198 10 December 2007
22:05
CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 401 39,899 × 461 km × 63.4° (Molniya) [39] Quasar 16[4] Communications Entered service, presumed active NROL-24 Mission Patch.png
L-25 Altair USA-234 3 April 2012
23:12 [40][41]
VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV M+ (5,2) 1,112 × 1,109 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO) [42] Topaz 2[43] Radar imaging Entered service, presumed active NROL-25 Mission Patch.png
L-26 USA-202 18 January 2009
02:47
CCAFS, SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy 35,814 × 35,774 km × 6.1° (GSO)[44] Orion 6[24] SIGINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-26 Mission Patch.png
L-27 Gryphon[31] USA-227 11 March 2011
23:38
CCAFS, SLC-37B Delta IV M+(4,2) 35,810 × 35,778 km × 4.6° (GSO)[45] Quasar 17[4] Communications Entered service, presumed active NROL-27 Mission Patch.png
L-28 USA-200 13 March 2008
10:02
VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 411 38,009 × 2,362 km × 63.2° (Molniya)[46] Improved Trumpet 5[37] ELINT Entered service, status unknown NROL-28 Mission Patch.png
L-29 N/A VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 521[47] Canceled
L-30 Pyxis[1] USA-194 15 June 2007
15:12
CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 401 1,347 × 879 km × 63.4° (LEO)[48] Intruder 8A & 8B[19] Naval reconnaissance Entered service, presumed active NROL-30 Mission Patch.png Two satellites.
Premature 2nd stage cutoff during launch. Lifetime reduced by need to correct orbit.
L-32[49] USA-223 21 November 2010
22:58[50]
CCAFS, SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy 35,979 × 35,609 km × 4.6° (GSO)[51] Orion 7[24] SIGINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-32 Patch.png
L-33[52] USA-252 22 May 2014
13:09
CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 401 35,810 × 35,778 km × 2.7° (GSO)[53] Quasar 19[4] Communications Entered service, presumed active NROL-33 mission patch.png
L-34 Odin[54] USA-229 15 April 2011
04:24
VAFB, SLC-3E[50] Atlas V 411 1,261 × 965 km × 63.4° (LEO)[55] Intruder 9A & 9B[19] Naval reconnaissance Entered service, presumed active NROL-34 Mission Patch.png Two satellites.
L-35 Jacquelyn USA-259 13 December 2014
03:19
VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 541 39,083 × 1,286 km × 63.4° (Molniya)[56] Trumpet 6 (third generation)[57] ELINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-35 Mission Patch.png First flight of the RL10C-1 rocket engine, used by the Centaur upper stage
L-36[58] USA-238[59] 13 September 2012
21:39[41]
VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 401 1,225 × 1,001 km × 63.4° (LEO)[60] Intruder 10A & 10B[19] Naval reconnaissance Entered service, presumed active NROL-36 Mission Patch.png Two satellites sharing a designation.
L-37[61] USA-268 11 June 2016
17:51
CCAFS, SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy 35,993 × 35,594 km × 6.5° (GSO)[62] Orion 9[24] SIGINT[63] Entered service, presumed active NROL-37 Mission Patch.png Likely the seventh so called Mentor/Orion satellite for the National Security Agency.[64]
L-38[65] Drake USA-236 20 June 2012
12:28[41]
CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 401 35,815 × 35,773 km × 3.1° (GSO)[66] Quasar 18[4] Communications Entered service, presumed active NROL-38 Mission Patch.png
L-39[67] USA-247 6 December 2013
07:14[68]
VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 501 1,113 × 1,109 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO)[69] Topaz 3[43] Radar imaging Entered service, presumed active NROL 39 vector logo.svg
L-41[49] Gladys[31] USA-215[1] 21 September 2010
04:03[50]
VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 501 1,112 × 1,109 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO)[70] Topaz 1[43] Radar imaging Entered service, presumed active NROL-41 Mission Patch.png
L-42[71] USA-278 24 September 2017
05:49:47
VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 541 39,230 × 1,138 km × 63.6° (Molniya)[72] Trumpet 7 (third generation)[57] ELINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-42 Mission Patch.png
L-44[71] USA-311 11 December 2020
01:09
CCSFS, SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy 35,992 × 35,596 km × 7.6° (GSO)[73] Orion 10[64] SIGINT[63] Entered service, presumed active[74] NROL-44 Mission Patch.png
L-45[67] USA-267 10 February 2016
11:40
VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV M+(5,2) 1,115 × 1,106 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO)[75] Topaz 4[43] Radar imaging Entered service, presumed active NROL-45 Mission Patch Alternate Version.png
NROL-45 Logo.png
L-47 USA-281 12 January 2018
22:11
VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV M+(5,2) 1,088 × 1,085 km × 106° (Retrograde LEO)[76] Topaz 5[43] Radar imaging Entered service, presumed active NROL-47Patch.png
L-49[49] Betty[31] USA-224 20 January 2011
21:10[77]
VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV Heavy 1,003 × 262 km × 97.9° (LEO)[78] KH-11 15[5] Optical imaging Entered service, presumed active NROL-49 Mission Patch.png
L-52[71] USA-279 15 October 2017
07:28
CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 421 35,810 × 35,778 km × 3.2° (GSO)[79] Quasar 21[80] Communications Entered service, presumed active NROL-52 Mission Patch.png
L-55[71] USA-264 8 October 2015
12:49
VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 401 1,150 × 1,076 km × 63.4° (LEO)[81][82] Intruder 11A & 11B Naval reconnisance[64] Entered service, presumed active Mission "patch" of NROL-55: a weapon smith (Hephaestus) is forging a sword. "SUSTENTANTES BELLATORES DE CÆLIS" means something like "In sustained support for the warriors, from the sky/or heaven" Two classified satellites (NROL-55) and 13 CubeSats.
L-56[83] - NLT 2026 CCAFS, SLC-41 Vulcan Centaur Awaiting launch
L-61[71] Spike[84] USA-269 28 July 2016
12:37[85]
CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 421 35,808 × 35,779 km × 2.8° (GSO)[86][87] Quasar 20[80] Communications Entered service, presumed active NROL-61 Mission Patch.png
L-65[88] USA-245 28 August 2013
18:03
VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV Heavy 991 × 275 km × 97.9° (LEO)[89] KH-11 16[5] Optical imaging Entered service, presumed active NROL-65 Mission Patch.png
L-66[90] USA-225 6 February 2011
12:26
VAFB, SLC-8 Minotaur I 1,232 × 1,214 km × 90.1° (LEO)[91] RPP Technology Entered service, status unknown NROL-66 Patch.png
L-67[92] USA-250 10 April 2014
17:45
CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 541 35,811 × 35,777 km × 1.4° (GSO)[93] SIGINT High Altitude Replenishment Program (SHARP-1) SIGINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-67 Mission Patch.png
L-68[63] USA-345 22 June 2023
09:18[94]
CCSFS, SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy Orion 11 SIGINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-68 Mission Patch.png
L-69[95] - Q1 2024[96] KSC, LC-39A or CCSFS, SLC-40[97] Falcon 9 Block 5 Awaiting launch
L-70[63] - 1 March 2024[98] CCSFS, SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy Orion 12 SIGINT Awaiting launch
L-71[71] USA-290 19 January 2019
19:05[41][99]
VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV Heavy 423 × 406 km × 73.6° (LEO)[100] KH-11 17[5] Optical imaging Entered service, presumed active NROL 71.png
L-73[83] - NLT 2026 VSFB, SLC-3E Vulcan Centaur Awaiting launch
L-76[101] USA-276 1 May 2017
11:15[102]
KSC, LC-39A Falcon 9 Full Thrust 393 × 393 km × 50.0° (LEO)[103][104][105] Entered service, presumed active NROL-76 Mission Patch.png
L-77[83] - NLT 2026 CCSFS or KSC Falcon 9 Block 5 Awaiting launch
L-79[71][106] USA-274 1 March 2017
17:50[107]
VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 401 1,119 × 1,107 km × 63.4° (LEO)[108] Intruder 12A & 12B[19] Naval reconnaissance Entered service, presumed active NROL-79 Mission Patch.png Two classified satellites sharing a designation.
L-82[63][109] USA-314 26 April 2021
20:47[110]
VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV Heavy 794 × 535 km × 98.1° (LEO)[111] KH-11 18[5] Electro-optical surveillance Entered service, presumed active NROL-82 Mission Patch.png
L-85[112] USA-327 17 April 2022
13:13
VSFB, SLC-4E Falcon 9 Block 5 LEO 63°[113] Intruder 13A & 13B Naval reconnaissance Entered service, presumed active NROL-85 Patch.png
L-87[114] USA-326 VSFB, SLC-4E Falcon 9 Block 5 SSO[113] Entered service, presumed active NROL-87 Patch.png
L-91[109] USA-338 24 September 2022
22:25[115]
VSFB, SLC-6 Delta IV Heavy LEO KH-11 19 Electro-optical surveillance Entered service, presumed active NROL-91 Patch.png
L-100[83] - NLT 2026 VSFB, SLC-3E Vulcan Centaur Awaiting launch
L-101 USA-310 13 November 2020
22:32[116]
CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 531 11105 × 11081 km × 58.5° (MEO)[117] Entered service, presumed active NROL-101 Mission Patch.png
L-107[114] USA-346
USA-347
USA-348
10 September 2023
12:47[118]
CCSFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 551 GSO 42464 × 41864 km × 0° Silentbarker Situational awareness[119] Entered service, presumed active NROL-107 Mission Patch.png Three satellites
L-108[120] USA-312
USA-313
19 December 2020
14:00[121]
KSC, LC-39A Falcon 9 Block 5 540 × 528 km × 53°(LEO)[122] Entered service, presumed active NROL-108 Patch.png Two satellites.
L-109[83] - NLT 2026 CCAFS, SLC-41 Vulcan Centaur Awaiting launch
L-111[123] USA-316
USA-317
USA-318
15 June 2021
13:35 UTC
MARS, LP-0B Minotaur I Technology Entered service, presumed active NROL-111 Mission Patch.png Three satellites.
L-118[83] - NLT 2026 CCAFS, SLC-41 Vulcan Centaur GSO Silentbarker Situational awareness Awaiting launch
L-129[124][125] USA-305
USA-306
USA-307
USA-308
15 July 2020
13:46 UTC
MARS, LP-0B Minotaur IV / Orion 38 580 × 574 km × 54.0° (LEO)[126] Entered service, presumed active NROL-129 Mission Patch with Female Warrior.png
NROL-129 Mission Patch with Male Warrior.png
Four payloads. First NRO launch on a Minotaur IV and first from Virginia's Space Coast.[127]
L-151[128][129]
(RASR-1)
Deep Dive[130] USA-294[131] 31 January 2020
02:56[132]
Mahia, LC-1A Electron 594 × 586 km × 70.0° (LEO)[133] Technology Entered service, presumed active NROL-151 Mission Patch.svg First Rocket Lab Electron launch, first launch from outside the United States (New Zealand), and first launch procured under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program. Flew on Rocket Lab's "Birds of a Feather" mission.
L-162[134] (RASR-3) USA-334 13 July 2022
06:30
Mahia, LC-1A Electron Entered service, presumed active NROL-162 Patch.png RASR-3. Back-to-back launch under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program.[135]
L-174[136] - February 2024[137] Minotaur IV / Orion 38 Awaiting launch
L-199[138] (RASR-4) USA-335 4 August 2022
05:00
Mahia, LC-1B Electron Entered service, presumed active NROL-199 Patch.png RASR-4. Back-to-back launch under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program.[135]
RASR-2[139][140] USA-301
USA-302
USA-303
13 June 2020
05:12
Mahia, LC-1A Electron Entered service, presumed active Three technology demonstration smallsats. Primary customer of the rideshare mission procured under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program. Flew on Rocket Lab's "Don't Stop Me Now" mission.
Undesignated[141] IMPACT-2A and IMPACT-2B 2 November 2019
13:59:47
MARS, Pad 0A Antares Technology demonstration Entered service, presumed active Two technology demonstration CubeSats launched as part of the NRO's IMPACT program. Secondary payloads, launched with Cygnus NG-12.
Launch
designation
Launch name Satellite
designation
Launch
date/time (UTC)
Launch site Rocket Orbit Project Function Status Patch Remarks

See also

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive – US Military Launch Record None Retrieved on September 15, 2011.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Encyclopedia Astronautica – Atlas IIAS Astronautix.com Retrieved on September 15, 2011.
  3. "USA 179". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=28384#results. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Krebs, Gunter (4 February 2020). "SDS-3 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8". https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sds-3.htm. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 "KH-11 / Kennen / Crystal". Gunter's Space Page. 1 December 2020. https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kh-11.htm. 
  6. "USA 224 recovered, USA 186 still drifting, and looking for GPS IIF-6 20 minutes after launch". SatTrackCam. 2014-05-21. http://sattrackcam.blogspot.de/search/label/USA%20129. 
  7. "Space Activities in 2014". Jonathan's Space Report. https://planet4589.org/space/papers/space14.pdf. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Lacrosse 1, 2, 3, 4, 5". Gunter's Space Page. 14 August 2020. https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/onyx.htm. 
  9. "USA 136". N2YO.com. https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=25034#results. 
  10. "Trumpet 1, 2, 3". Gunter's Space Page. 19 March 2020. https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/trumpet.htm. 
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 NRO codenames Forum.nasaspaceflight.com Retrieved on September 15, 2011.
  12. "USA 139". N2YO.com. https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=25336#results. 
  13. "Orion 3, 4". Gunter's Space Page. 25 November 2020. https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/orion-3_nro.htm. 
  14. "National Reconnaissance Office Satellite Destroyed 29 August 1998". http://nro.gov/news/press/1998/1998-08.pdf.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  15. 15.0 15.1 National Reconnaissance Satellite Successfully Launched May 22, 1999 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  16. "USA 155". N2YO.com. https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=26635#results. 
  17. "USA 162". N2YO.com. https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=25034#results. 
  18. "USA 160". N2YO.com. https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=26905. 
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 "Intruder 5, ..., 12 (NOSS-3 1, ..., 8)". Gunter's Space Page. 4 November 2020. https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/noss-3.htm. 
  20. "USA 224 recovered: an update of the KH-11 constellation". SatTrackCam. 30 June 2016. https://sattrackcam.blogspot.com/2016/06/usa-224-recovered-update-of-kh-11.html. 
  21. "Space Activities in 2015". Jonathan's Space Report. https://planet4589.org/space/papers/space15.pdf. 
  22. Space Videos (June 29, 2012). "Launch of Delta IV Heavy with NROL-15 Payload". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxMuxZWtiOU. 
  23. "USA 237". N2YO.com. https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=38528#results. 
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 "Orion 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12". Gunter's Space Report. 11 December 2020. https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/orion-5_nro.htm. 
  25. NRO Successfully Launches Last Titan from Cape Canaveral April 29, 2005 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  26. "USA 182". N2YO.com. https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=28646#results. 
  27. 27.0 27.1 Encyclopedia Astronautica – Delta 7000
  28. "USA 158". N2YO.com. https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=26770#results. 
  29. "GeoLITE". Gunter's Space Page. https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/geolite.htm. 
  30. "USA 173". N2YO.com. https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=28095. 
  31. 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 "Re: NROL codenames". 2011-01-22. http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=11127.msg683562#msg683562. 
  32. NRO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES PAYLOAD FROM TITAN IV September 10, 2003 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  33. "USA 171". N2YO.com. https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=27937#results. 
  34. NRO Payload Takes Last Ride Aboard Titan IV October 20, 2005 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  35. "USA 186". N2YO.com. https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=28888#results. 
  36. "USA 184". N2YO.com. https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=29249#results. 
  37. 37.0 37.1 "Trumpet 4, 5 / SBIRS HEO-1, 2". Gunter's Space Page. 4 November 2020. https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/trumpet-fo.htm. 
  38. "USA 181". N2YO.com. https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=28537. 
  39. "USA 198". N2YO.com. https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=32378#results. 
  40. "Delta Launch Report – Mission Status Center". Spaceflight Now. http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d359/status.html. 
  41. 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 "Launch schedule". Spaceflight Now. https://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/. 
  42. "USA 234". N2YO.com. https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=38109#results. 
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 43.4 "Topaz 1, 2, 3, 4, 5". Gunter's Space Page. 4 February 2020. https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/fia-radar.htm. 
  44. "USA 202". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=33490#results. 
  45. "USA 227". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=37377#results. 
  46. "USA 200". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=32706#results. 
  47. "ILS Atlas Adds NRO Mission to West Coast Launch Manifest | Commercial Space Watch". http://www.comspacewatch.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=16796. 
  48. "USA 194". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=31701. 
  49. 49.0 49.1 49.2 "Launch schedule". Spaceflight Now. http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/. 
  50. 50.0 50.1 50.2 "Atlas Launch Report". Spaceflight Now. http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av025/status.html. 
  51. "USA 223". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=37232#results. 
  52. "Archived copy". http://msdb.gsfc.nasa.gov/MissionData.php?mission=NROL-33. 
  53. "USA 252". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=39751#results. 
  54. :::: United Launch Alliance, LLC :::: Ulalaunch.com Retrieved on September 15, 2011.
  55. "USA 229". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=37386. 
  56. "USA 259". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=40344#results. 
  57. 57.0 57.1 Krebs, Gunter (4 November 2020). "Trumpet 6, 7 / SBIRS HEO-3, 4". https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/trumpet-fo-2.htm. 
  58. "Technical details for satellite USA 238". N2yo. http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=38758. 
  59. "NSSDCA - Spacecraft - Details". NASA. https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2012-048A.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  60. "USA 238". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=38758. 
  61. "Triple-barrel Delta 4-Heavy launches national security satellite". Spaceflight Now. 11 June 2016. https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/06/11/triple-barrel-delta-4-heavy-launches-national-security-satellite/. 
  62. "USA 268". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=41584#results. 
  63. 63.0 63.1 63.2 63.3 63.4 Ray, Justin (June 7, 2016). "Surveillance satellite launching Thursday atop Delta 4-Heavy rocket". Spaceflight Now. http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/06/07/surveillance-satellite-launching-thursday-atop-delta-4-heavy-rocket/. 
  64. 64.0 64.1 64.2 Krebs, Gunter. "NROL launches". Gunter's Space Page. http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/nrol.htm. 
  65. "Archived copy". http://msdb.gsfc.nasa.gov/MissionData.php?mission=NROL-38.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  66. "USA 236". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=38466#results. 
  67. 67.0 67.1 "Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV)". Federal Business Opportunities. https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=3f220ddfda92019ff7ad72adcde4e37c&tab=core&_cview=1.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  68. NRO Press Release 2013-04 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  69. "USA 247". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=39462#results. 
  70. "USA 215". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=37162#results. 
  71. 71.0 71.1 71.2 71.3 71.4 71.5 71.6 "2016 manifest preview: United Launch Alliance's busy year ahead". Spaceflight Now. 20 April 2015. http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/04/21/stats-atlas-5-and-delta-4-histories-and-backlogs-updated-april-20/. 
  72. "USA 278". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=42941#results. 
  73. "USA 311". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=47237#results. 
  74. "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NROL-44 Mission to Support National Security". https://www.ulalaunch.com/about/news/2020/12/11/united-launch-alliance-successfully-launches-nrol-44-mission-to-support-national-security. 
  75. "USA 267". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=41334#results. 
  76. "USA 281". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=43145#results. 
  77. Graham, William (2011-01-20). "Delta IV Heavy launches on debut West Coast launch with NRO L-49". NASA Spaceflight. http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/01/live-delta-iv-heavy-launch-nro-l-49/. 
  78. "USA 224". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=37348#results. 
  79. "USA 279". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=42949#results. 
  80. 80.0 80.1 Krebs, Gunter (4 November 2020). "Quasar 20, 21". https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sds-4.htm. 
  81. "USA 264". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=40964. 
  82. Graham, William (2015-10-07). "NROL-55 takes a ride uphill on ULA Atlas V". NASA Spaceflight. http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/10/nrol-55-set-to-ride-uphill-on-ula-atlas-v/. 
  83. 83.0 83.1 83.2 83.3 83.4 83.5 Erwin, Sandra (31 October 2023). "Space Force assigns 21 national security missions to ULA and SpaceX". SpaceNews.com. https://spacenews.com/space-force-assigns-21-national-security-missions-to-ula-and-spacex/. 
  84. Ray, Justin (July 28, 2016). "Spy satellite infrastructure supported by successful Atlas 5 rocket launch". Spaceflight Now. http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/07/28/spy-satellite-infrastructure-supported-by-atlas-5-rocket-launch/. 
  85. Graham, William (2016-07-28). "Atlas V successfully launches NROL-61 reconnaissance satellite". NASA Spaceflight. https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/07/atlas-v-launch-nrol-61-reconnaissance-satellite/. 
  86. "USA 269". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=41724#results. 
  87. "NROL-61 satellite launched Thursday spotted in space by sky-watchers". Spaceflight Now. July 30, 2016. https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/07/30/nrol-61-satellite-launched-thursday-spotted-in-space-by-sky-watchers/. 
  88. "Archived copy". http://msdb.gsfc.nasa.gov/MissionData.php?mission=NROL-65. 
  89. "USA 245". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=39232#results. 
  90. Graham, William (2011-02-06). "Orbital's Minotaur I launches with NROL-66". http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/02/live-orbitals-minotaur-i-californian-launch-nrol-66/. 
  91. "USA 225". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=37364. 
  92. "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Second Mission in Just Seven Days". United Launch Alliance. http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/171/. 
  93. "USA 250". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=39652#results. 
  94. Graham, William (22 June 2023). "ULA's penultimate Delta IV Heavy launches NROL-68 mission". NASASpaceFlight. https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/06/delta-iv-heavy-nrol-68/. 
  95. "Contracts for March 9, 2021" (in en-US). https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2530911//. 
  96. "Falcon 9 Block 5 - NROL-69". Next Spaceflight. 9 October 2023. https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6150. 
  97. @StephenClark1. "In response to my questions to SMC: "Each of the FY21 awarded missions is planned to launch in FY23 from the Eastern Range."". https://twitter.com/StephenClark1/status/1370732825159290888.  Missing or empty |date= (help)
  98. "NSSL Phase 3 - Industry Day". Space Systems Command. 20 July 2023. https://sam.gov/api/prod/opps/v3/opportunities/resources/files/89e2561749e04077a264c9092898e8aa/download?&token=. 
  99. Pietrobon, Steven (4 September 2019). "United States Military Manifest". http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/usmil-man.txt. 
  100. "USA 290". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=43941#results. 
  101. Gruss, Mike (19 May 2016). "NRO discloses previously unannounced launch contract for SpaceX". SpaceNews. https://www.spacenews.com/nro-discloses-previously-unannounced-launch-contract-for-spacex/. 
  102. Clark, Stephen (6 April 2017). "Launch schedule". Spaceflight Now. https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/. 
  103. "USA 276". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=42689#results. 
  104. Klotz, Irene (30 April 2017). "Secret US Spy Satellite Heading to Low-Earth Orbit, SpaceX Launch License Shows". Space.com. http://www.space.com/36668-spy-satellite-orbit-spacex-launch-license.html. 
  105. Clark, Stephen (May 24, 2017). "Observers spot top secret satellite launched by SpaceX earlier this month". Spaceflight Now. https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/05/24/observers-spot-top-secret-satellite-launched-by-spacex-earlier-this-month/. 
  106. USAF. "EELV PHASE 1A NROL-79 Request For Proposal". https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=db6fc2f2c2149a12c65b9529655a33cd. 
  107. "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NROL-79 Payload for the National Reconnaissance Office". ULA. http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-nrol79.aspx?title=United+Launch+Alliance+Successfully+Launches+NROL-79+Payload+for+the+National+Reconnaissance+Office. 
  108. "USA 274". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=42058. 
  109. 109.0 109.1 Gruss, Mike (8 August 2016). "No complaint from SpaceX as Air Force skips competition for pair of NRO missions". SpaceNews. http://spacenews.com/u-s-air-force-plans-to-buy-2-delta-4-heavy-rockets-for-nro-missions/. "In its announcement, the Defense Department said it plans to award a formal contract for the first mission, known as NROL-82, later this year for a 2020 launch. It also plans to award a contract for the second mission, known as NROL-91, in late 2017 with a tentative launch date of 2023." 
  110. Graham, William (26 April 2021). "ULA Delta IV Heavy launches NROL-82 national security mission". https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/04/ula-nro-mission-nrol82/. 
  111. "USA 314". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=48247. 
  112. Graham, William (17 April 2022). "Falcon 9 launches NROL-85 mission for National Reconnaissance Office". NASASpaceFlight. https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/04/falcon-9-nrol-85/. 
  113. 113.0 113.1 "NROL launches". 2019-02-20. https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/nrol.htm. 
  114. 114.0 114.1 Ray, Justin (30 June 2017). "Air Force selects Atlas 5 to launch multipurpose satellite to high orbit". Spaceflight Now. https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/06/30/air-force-selects-atlas-5-to-launch-multipurpose-satellite-to-high-orbit/. 
  115. Graham, William (24 September 2022). "Last West Coast Delta IV Heavy launches with NROL-91". NASASpaceFlight. https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/09/delta-iv-nrol-91/. 
  116. "Launch Schedule". Spaceflight Now. 9 November 2020. https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/. 
  117. Molczan, Ted (2020-12-18). "USA 310: ISON post-manoeuvre elements". http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Dec-2020/0095.html. 
  118. Atkinson, Ian (10 September 2023). "ULA conducts NROL-107 launch, last Atlas NRO mission". NASASpaceFlight. https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/09/ula-nrol-107/. 
  119. Erwin, Sandra. "Air Force awards US$739 million in launch contracts to ULA and SpaceX". Space News. https://spacenews.com/air-force-awards-739-million-in-launch-contracts-to-ula-and-spacex/. 
  120. Clark, Stephen (26 October 2020). "NRO reveals plans for previously-undisclosed SpaceX launch this month". Spaceflight Now. https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/10/05/nro-reveals-plans-for-previously-undisclosed-launch-with-spacex-this-month/. 
  121. "NRO Twitter: Launch Update". NRO. 17 December 2020. https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1339606667927973889. 
  122. Krebs, Gunter (2020-12-21). "USA 312, 313 (NROL 108)". https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/usa-312.htm. 
  123. "Northrop Grumman Successfully Launches Minotaur I Rocket for the National Reconnaissance Office". Northrop Grumman. 15 June 2021. https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-successfully-launches-minotaur-i-rocket-for-the-national-reconnaissance-office. 
  124. Clark, Stephen (21 March 2019). "Two Minotaur launches planned this year from Virginia". Spaceflight Now. https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/03/21/two-minotaur-launches-planned-this-year-from-virginia/. 
  125. "NROL-129". Gunters Space Page. https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/nrol-129.htm. 
  126. "USA 305". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=45873#results. 
  127. "NROL-129 Launch Press Kit". https://www.nro.gov/Portals/65/documents/news/Press%20Kit_Launch_NROL-129.pdf. 
  128. Erwin, Sandra (20 January 2020). "Rocket Lab to launch small satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office". Space News. https://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-to-launch-small-satellite-for-the-national-reconnaissance-office/. 
  129. "Birds of a Feather". Rocket Lab. https://www.rocketlabusa.com/missions/completed-missions/birds-of-a-feather/. 
  130. "NROL-151 Mission Deep Dive". National Reconnaissance Office. 24 January 2019. https://www.nro.gov/Portals/65/documents/foia/declass/ForAll/012422/F-2020-00060_C05135375.pdf. 
  131. https://space.skyrocket.de/index.html - 1 February 2020.
  132. "And we have resumed the count! New target lift-off time is 02:56 UTC (15:56 NZDT / 18:56 PST / 21:56 EST)". 30 January 2020. https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1223072498733862912. 
  133. "USA 294". https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=45110#results. 
  134. Kanayama, Lee (13 July 2022). "Rocket Lab launches first of two back-to-back missions for NRO". NASASpaceFlight. https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/07/rocket-lab-wise-one-looks-ahead/. 
  135. 135.0 135.1 "Rocket Lab Awarded Contract for Back-to-Back NRO Missions". Rocket Lab (Press release). 18 June 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2021 – via SpaceRef.
  136. Clark, Stephen (15 June 2021). "NRO satellites launched by Minotaur rocket with surplus missile parts". Spaceflight Now. https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/06/15/three-nro-satellites-launched-by-minotaur-rocket-with-surplus-missile-parts/. "[T]he Space Force and the NRO have purchased at least one more Minotaur flight to deliver another classified payload to orbit. That mission, known as NROL-174, will use a Minotaur 4 rocket, the larger Minotaur variant. It is scheduled for launch in 2023, Eberly said. A launch site for the NROL-174 mission has not been confirmed." 
  137. "Minotaur IV - NROL-174". Next Spaceflight. https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4736. 
  138. Navin, Joseph (4 August 2022). "Rocket Lab's Electron launches NROL-199". NASASpaceFlight. https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/08/rocket-labs-nrol-199/. 
  139. "NRO launches second mission of 2020 with Rocket Lab". https://www.nro.gov/News/News-Articles/Article/2219974/nro-launches-second-mission-of-2020-with-rocket-lab/.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  140. "Don't Stop Me Now". Rocket Lab. https://www.rocketlabusa.com/missions/completed-missions/dont-stop-me-now. 
  141. "NRO launches two IMPACT small satellites as rideshare on NG-12". https://www.nro.gov/News/News-Articles/Article/2006799/nro-launches-two-impact-small-satellites-as-rideshare-on-ng-12/.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

External links

  • [1] National Security Space Launch Report (pages 112)