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USA-225
NROL-66, carrying advanced dosimeters, during ground processing
NROL-66, carrying advanced dosimeters, during ground processing
Mission type Technology
Operator NRO
COSPAR ID 2011-006A
Start of mission
Launch date 6 February 2011, 12:26 (2011-02-06UTC12:26Z) UTC
Rocket Minotaur I SLV-10
Launch site Vandenberg SLC-8
Contractor Orbital Sciences
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth

USA-225, also known as the Rapid Pathfinder Prototype (RPP) and NRO Launch 66 (NROL-66), is an American satellite which was launched in 2011. The satellite is being used to perform technology demonstration and development experiments, including advanced dosimeters to characterize the space environment from a 1,200 kilometer low Earth orbit.[1] It is operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office.[2] Rapid Pathfinder was developed for less than US$20 million over a period of less than two years. Its dimensions are 0.5 m times 0.5 m times 0.5 m, and its mass including payload is 235 kg.[1]

A Minotaur I carrier rocket was used to launch USA-225, flying from Space Launch Complex 8 of the Vandenberg Air Force Base. The launch of was originally scheduled for March 2011, however it was subsequently moved forwards to 5 February.[3] During the attempt to launch on 5 February 2011, a transmitter malfunctioned, and the launch attempt was scrubbed. Another attempt was scheduled for the next day. At 12:26 on 6 February 2011, the Minotaur lifted off, carrying USA-225 into orbit.[4] The launch was conducted by Orbital Sciences Corporation.

For launch, the RPP satellite was given the designation NRO Launch 66, or NROL-66. Upon reaching orbit it was named USA-225 in accordance with the usual naming system for American military spacecraft. The satellite received the International Designator 2011-006A, and the Satellite Catalog Number 37364.[5]

See also[]

  • STEX

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Carlson, Bruce (8 August 2011). "NRO’s Historical, Current, and Potential Use of Small Satellites". NRO. http://www.nro.gov/news/speeches/2011/2011-01.pdf. Retrieved 26 August 2011. 
  2. Krebs, Gunter. "RPP". Gunter's Space Page. http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/rpp.htm. Retrieved 9 February 2011. 
  3. "Launch Log". Tracking Station. Spaceflight Now. http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/launchlog.html. Retrieved 9 February 2011. 
  4. Clark, Stephen (6 February 2011). "Classified satellite climbs to space on Minotaur rocket". Spaceflight Now. http://www.spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/nrol66/index.html. Retrieved 9 February 2011. 
  5. "USA 225 Satellite details 2011-006A NORAD 37364". N2YO. http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=37364. Retrieved 9 February 2011. 
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