USA-234
| Mission type | Radar imaging |
|---|---|
| Operator | USNRO |
| COSPAR ID | 2012-014A |
| SATCATno. | 38109 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Topaz |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 3 April 2012, 23:12:57UTC |
| Rocket | Delta IV-M+(5,2)D359 |
| Launch site | VandenbergSLC-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,also known asNRO Launch 25orNROL-25,is an Americanreconnaissance satellite,operated by theNational Reconnaissance Office.Launched fromVandenberg Air Force Basein 2012, it has been identified as the secondradar imagingsatellite to be launched as part of theFuture Imagery Architectureprogramme.[2]
USA-234 was launched byUnited Launch Alliance,using aDelta IVcarrier rocket, making its first flight in the Medium+(5,2) configuration.[3]The rocket was launched fromSpace Launch Complex 6at Vandenberg, at 23:12:57 UTC (16:12:57PDT) 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 namedElectra.[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,inclinedat 123 degrees.[6]
References
[edit]- ^abcdePeat, Chris (18 January 2015)."USA 234 - Orbit".Heavens-Above.Retrieved25 January2015.
- ^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.Retrieved9 April2012.
- ^Ray, Justin (4 April 2012)."Delta 4 rocket successfully lofts surveillance satellite".Spaceflight Now.Retrieved9 April2012.
- ^Krebs, Gunter."NROL launches".Gunter's Space Page.
- ^Molczan, Ted (6 April 2012)."NROL-25: search TLE update".Seesat.Retrieved9 April2012.
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