USA-215
| Mission type | Radar imaging |
|---|---|
| Operator | US NRO |
| COSPAR ID | 2010-046A |
| SATCAT № | 37162 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | FIA Radar |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 21 September 2010, 04:03:30 UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas V 501 AV-025 |
| Launch site | Vandenberg SLC-3E |
| Contractor | ULA |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth (retrograde) |
| Perigee | 1,105 kilometres (687 mi)[1] |
| Apogee | 1,116 kilometres (693 mi)[1] |
| Inclination | 122.99 degrees[1] |
| Period | 107.35 minutes[1] |
| Epoch | 23 January 2015, 06:05:42 UTC[1] |
USA-215, also known as NRO Launch 41 or NROL-41, is an American reconnaissance satellite, operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched in 2010, it has been identified as the first in a new series of radar imaging satellites, developed as part of the Future Imagery Architecture programme,[2] to replace the earlier Lacrosse spacecraft.
USA-215 was launched by an Atlas V carrier rocket, flying in the 501 configuration, operated by United Launch Alliance. The rocket was launched from Space Launch Complex 3E at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, at 04:03:30 UTC (09:03 PDT) on 21 September 2010.[3] It was identified as NRO Launch 41, and was the twenty-third flight of an Atlas V; the vehicle had the tail number AV-025, and was named Gladys.[4]
The satellite's orbit and mission are officially classified; however, it has been located by amateur observers in a retrograde low Earth orbit. As of 23 January 2015 it was in an orbit with a perigee of 1,105 kilometres (687 mi), an apogee of 1,116 kilometres (693 mi) and 122.99 degrees of inclination.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Peat, Chris (23 January 2015). "USA 215 - Orbit". Heavens-Above. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
- ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "FIA-Radar 1, 2, 3, 4". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
- ↑ Ray, Justin (21 September 2010). "Atlas Launch Report - Mission Status Center". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
- ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "NROL launches". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 10 April 2012.