USA-200

USA-200, also known as NRO Launch 28 or NROL-28, is an American signals intelligence satellite, operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched in 2008, it has been identified as the second satellite in a series known as Improved Trumpet, Advanced Trumpet, or Trumpet follow-on; a replacement for the earlier Trumpet series of satellites.[2]

The infrared image of a Delta II rocket launch, captured by SBIRS-HEO sensors aboard USA-200.
USA-200
Atlas V carrying NROL-28 awaiting launch at SLC-3E.
Mission typeELINT
OperatorUS NRO
COSPAR ID2008-010A
SATCAT no.32706
Start of mission
Launch date13 March 2008, 10:02 (2008-03-13UTC10:02Z) UTC
RocketAtlas V 411 AV-006
Launch siteVandenberg, SLC-3E
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeMolniya
Perigee altitude1,111 kilometres (690 mi)[1]
Apogee altitude37,580 kilometres (23,350 mi)[1]
Inclination63.5°[1]
Epoch20 March 2008[1]
 

USA-200 was launched by an Atlas V carrier rocket, flying in the 411 configuration, operated by United Launch Alliance. The rocket was the first Atlas V to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, flying from Space Launch Complex 3E.[3] Liftoff occurred at 10:02 UTC (03:02 PDT) on 13 March 2008.[4][5] It was identified as NRO Launch 28,[6] and was the thirteenth flight of an Atlas V. The rocket had the tail number AV-006.[4]

The satellite's orbit and mission are officially classified, however like most classified spacecraft it has been located and tracked by amateur observers. It is in a Molniya orbit with a perigee of 1,111 kilometres (690 mi), an apogee of 37,580 kilometres (23,350 mi), and 63.5° of inclination.[1] In addition to its SIGINT payload, USA-200 also carries two secondary instruments; the SBIRS-HEO-2 missile detection payload as part of the Space-Based Infrared System programme, and NASA's TWINS-2 or TWINS-B magnetospheric science instrument as part of the TWINS programme.[2]

References
  1. McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  2. Krebs, Gunter. ""Trumpet F/O" 1, 2, 3". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  3. Ray, Justin (13 March 2008). "Atlas 5 rocket launches from California for first time". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  4. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  5. Ray, Justin (13 March 2008). "Atlas Launch Report - Mission Status Center". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  6. Krebs, Gunter. "NROL launches". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.