| Mission type | ELINT |
|---|---|
| Operator | NRO |
| COSPAR ID | 2009-001A |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Mentor |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 18 January 2009, 02:47 UTC |
| Rocket | Delta IV Heavy |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral SLC-37B |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geosynchronous |
USA 202,[1] previously NRO Launch 26 or NROL-26, is a classified spacecraft which is to be operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office. It is an Advanced Orion ELINT satellite. According to Aviation Week it, "Fundamentally involves America's biggest, most secret and expensive military spacecraft on board the world's largest rocket."[2] The combined cost of the spacecraft and launch vehicle has been estimated to be over US$2 billion.[2]
Launch[]
USA-202 was launched from Space Launch Complex 37B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, on the third flight of a Delta IV Heavy rocket. The launch was originally scheduled for 2005, but was delayed due to a number of issues, and lift-off took place at 02:47 GMT on 18 January 2009.[3]
References[]
- ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Issue 605". Jonathan's Space Report. http://host.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.605. Retrieved 2009-01-18.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "NRO Delays Delta IV Heavy Launch". Aviation Week. Dec 10, 2008. http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=space&id=news/NRODSP12108.xml.
- ↑ "First ULA Delta IV Heavy NRO Mission Successfully Lifts Off From Cape Canaveral". ULA. http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-17-2009/0004956494.
External links[]
- Delta IV Heavy NROL-26 - launch information from ULA.
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The original article can be found at USA-202 and the edit history here.