USA-215
American radar reconnaissance satellite
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Names |
NRO Launch 41
NROL-41 Gladys |
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Mission type | Imaging radar |
Operator | National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) |
COSPAR ID |
2010-046A
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SATCAT no. | 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 s/n AV-025 |
Launch site | Vandenberg , SLC-3E |
Contractor | United Launch Alliance (ULA) |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric orbit [1] |
Regime | Low Earth orbit ( retrograde ) |
Perigee altitude | 1,103 km (685 mi) |
Apogee altitude | 1,105 km (687 mi) |
Inclination | 122.99° |
Period | 107.35 minutes |
USA-215 , also known as NRO Launch 41 or NROL-41 , is an American reconnaissance satellite , operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Launched in 2010, it has been identified as the first in a new series of imaging radar satellites, developed as part of the Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) programme, [2] to replace the earlier Lacrosse spacecraft.
Launch
USA-215 was launched by an Atlas V launch vehicle , flying in the 501 configuration, operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA). The rocket was launched from Space Launch Complex 3E at the Vandenberg Air Force Base , at 04:03:30 UTC 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]
Mission
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 14 February 2021, it was in an orbit with a perigee of 1,103 km (685 mi) , an apogee of 1,105 km (687 mi) and 122.99° of orbital inclination . [1]
References
- 1 2 "USA 215 - Orbit" . Heavens Above. 14 February 2021 . Retrieved 10 March 2021 .
- ↑ Krebs, Gunter (11 December 2020). "Topaz 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (FIA-Radar 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)" . Gunter's Space Page . Retrieved 10 March 2021 .
- ↑ Ray, Justin (21 September 2010). "Atlas Launch Report - Mission Status Center" . Spaceflight Now . Retrieved 10 March 2021 .
- ↑ Krebs, Gunter (21 December 2020). "NROL launches" . Gunter's Space Page . Retrieved 10 March 2021 .
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