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{{Short description|Class of United States spy satellites}}
{{for|the crewed spacecraft|Orion (spacecraft)}}
{{for|the crewed spacecraft|Orion (spacecraft)}}

{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}


[[File:Orion MENTOR4 (USA-202).jpg|thumb|Artist's impression of the Orion Mentor-4 ([[USA-202]]) Signals Intelligence Satellite launched in January 2009.]]
[[File:Orion MENTOR4 (USA-202).jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Artist's impression of the Orion Mentor-4 ([[USA-202]]) Signals Intelligence Satellite launched in January 2009]]
⚫
[[File:USA202 Mentor4.jpg|thumb|right|USA-202 shows up as a magnitude +8 "star" in this image. Note how the real stars are trailed in this 10 second exposure: the geostationary satellite is pinpoint.]]
⚫
[[File:NROL-32b_ULA_21NOV2010.jpg|thumb|right|USA-223 (NROL-32), the fifth "Mentor" satellite, atop a Delta IV rocket]]
⚫
[[File:USA202_Thuraya2.jpg|thumb|right|USA-202 and the nearby commercial geostationary satellite [[Thuraya|Thuraya 2]]]]


'''Orion''', also known as '''Mentor''' or '''Advanced Orion''',<ref name=sfn-20160611/> is a class of United States [[spy satellite]]s that collect [[signals intelligence]] (SIGINT) from space. Operated by the [[National Reconnaissance Office]] (NRO) and developed with input from the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA), seven have been launched from [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|Cape Canaveral]] on [[Titan IV]] and [[Delta IV]] [[Launch vehicle|launch vehicles]] since 1995.
'''Orion''', also known as '''Mentor''' or '''Advanced Orion''',<ref name=sfn-20160611/> is a class of United States [[spy satellite]]s that collect [[signals intelligence]] (SIGINT) from space. Operated by the [[National Reconnaissance Office]] (NRO) and developed with input from the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA), eight have been launched from [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|Cape Canaveral]] on [[Titan&nbsp;IV]] and [[Delta&nbsp;IV]] [[Launch vehicle|launch vehicles]] since 1995.


== Description ==
These satellites collect radio emissions ([[Signals intelligence|SIGINT]]) from [[geostationary orbit]]s and act as replacements for the older constellation of [[Magnum (satellite)|Magnum]] satellites. Observers estimate the satellites weigh close to 5,200 kg and have very large (estimated 100 m diameter) <ref>[http://reseau.echelon.free.fr/reseau.echelon/satellites.htm Spy satellites of the NSA] (fr)</ref> radio reflecting dishes. [[USA-223|NROL-32]], which is seen as the fifth satellite in the series, is according to NRO director [[Bruce Carlson]] "(...) the largest satellite in the world".<ref name="afa100913">{{cite web|title=National Reconnaissance Office Update|url=http://www.afa.org/events/conference/2010/scripts/AFA-100913-Carlson|author=Bruce Carlson|website=afa.org|publisher=Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition 2010|access-date=2010-11-25|date=2010-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206140015/http://www.afa.org/events/conference/2010/scripts/AFA-100913-Carlson|archive-date=2010-12-06|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is believed that this refers to the diameter of the main antenna, which might be well in excess of {{cvt|100|m}}.<ref name="NASASpaceFlight101119">{{cite web|title=Delta IV Heavy launches with NROL-32|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/11/live-delta-iv-heavy-launch-with-nrol-3/|author=William Graham|website=nasaspaceflight.com|access-date=2010-11-22|date=2010-11-21}}</ref> The mission and capabilities of these satellites are highly [[classified information|classified]], though targets may include telemetry, VHF radio, cellular mobile phones, paging signals, and mobile data links.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/irp/eprint/ic2000/ic2000.htm#_Toc448565534|title=STOA Report: Interception Capabilities 2000|last=Campbell|first=Duncan|date=April 1999}}</ref> Earlier satellites with similar missions, the [[Rhyolite/Aquacade]] series, were built by [[TRW Inc.|TRW]]; it is not known who made the Orion satellites.<ref>[http://www.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.369 Jonathan's space report No. 369] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619224722/http://www.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.369|date=2009-06-19}} (1998-08-22)</ref>
These satellites at [[geostationary orbit]]s collect radio emissions ([[Signals intelligence|SIGINT]]) and act as replacements for the older constellation of [[Magnum (satellite)|Magnum]] satellites. The satellites have estimated mass close to 5,200&nbsp;kg and very large (estimated 100&nbsp;m diameter)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://reseau.echelon.free.fr/reseau.echelon/satellites.htm |title=Les satellites espions de la NSA |lang=fr |trans-title=Spy satellites of the NSA |website=Spyworld.fr |date=2006}}</ref> radio reflecting dishes. [[USA-223]] (NROL-32), which is seen as the fifth satellite in the series, is according to NRO director [[Bruce A. Carlson|Bruce Carlson]] "the largest satellite in the world."<ref name="afa100913">{{cite web |title=National Reconnaissance Office Update |url=http://www.afa.org/events/conference/2010/scripts/AFA-100913-Carlson.pdf |author=Bruce Carlson |website=afa.org |publisher=Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition 2010 |access-date=2010-11-25 |date=2010-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206140015/http://www.afa.org/events/conference/2010/scripts/AFA-100913-Carlson.pdf |archive-date=2010-12-06 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It is believed that this refers to the diameter of the main antenna, which might be well in excess of {{cvt|100|m}}.<ref name="NASASpaceFlight101119">{{cite web |title=Delta IV Heavy launches with NROL-32 |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/11/live-delta-iv-heavy-launch-with-nrol-3/ |author=William Graham |publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com |access-date=2010-11-22 |date=2010-11-21}}</ref> The mission and capabilities of these satellites are highly [[classified information|classified]], though targets may include telemetry, [[VHF]] radio, cellular mobile phones, paging signals, and mobile data links.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/irp/eprint/ic2000/ic2000.htm#_Toc448565534 |title=STOA Report: Interception Capabilities 2000 |last=Campbell |first=Duncan |date=April 1999}}</ref> Earlier satellites with similar missions, the [[Rhyolite/Aquacade]] series, were built by [[TRW Inc.|TRW]]; it is not known who made the Orion satellites.<ref>[http://www.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.369 Jonathan's Space Report No. 369]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619224722/http://www.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.369|date=2009-06-19}} (1998-08-22).</ref>

<gallery mode=packed heights=160>
⚫
File:USA202 Mentor4.jpg|USA-202 shows up as a [[Apparent magnitude|magnitude]] +8 "star" in this image. Note how the real stars are trailed in this 10-second exposure: the geostationary satellite is pinpoint.
⚫
File:NROL-32b_ULA_21NOV2010.jpg|USA-223 (NROL-32), the fifth "Mentor" satellite, atop a Delta IV rocket
⚫
File:USA202_Thuraya2.jpg|USA-202 and the nearby commercial geostationary satellite [[Thuraya|Thuraya 2]]
</gallery>


== Satellites ==
== Satellites ==
Mentor-4 (USA-202) deployment and initial westward drift after launch in January 2009 was controlled by the Alice Springs Mission Ground Station. About 60 days after launch [[RAF Menwith Hill|Menwith Hill Ground Station]] was to take over control, and initiate the collection mission. Mentor-4's initial mission was to survey line-of-sight microwave towers and emitters in the [[China|People's Republic of China]] for 30 to 45 days as it was drifting from east to west. Moving further west, it was to collect data from the [[Thuraya]] network, and monitor [[Pakistan]] and [[Afghanistan]], followed by another 200 days of monitoring of the China. This was to be followed by data collection covering the [[Middle East]], [[North Africa|Northern Africa]], and [[Latin America]].<ref name="Mission7600">{{cite web|title=Two New Collection Assets to Greatly Expand MHS Target Coverage|url=https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/3089495/pages/MHS-collection-assets-p1-normal.gif|publisher=National Security Agency|access-date=2017-05-04 |date=2009-01-05}}</ref><ref name=TSR20161031>{{cite web|url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3095/1|title=A NEMESIS in the sky: PAN, MENTOR 4, and close encounters of the SIGINT kind|author=Marco Langbroek|publisher=The Space Review|date=31 October 2016|access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref>
Mentor-4 (USA-202) deployment and initial westward drift after launch in January 2009 was controlled by the [[Pine Gap]] base. About 60 days after launch [[RAF Menwith Hill|Menwith Hill Ground Station]] was to take over control and initiate the collection mission. Mentor-4's initial mission was to survey line-of-sight microwave towers and emitters in the [[China|People's Republic of China]] for 30 to 45 days as it was drifting from east to west. Moving further west, it was to collect data from the [[Thuraya]] network and monitor [[Pakistan]] and [[Afghanistan]], followed by another 200 days of monitoring of China. This was to be followed by data collection covering the [[Middle East]], [[North Africa|Northern Africa]], and [[Latin America]].<ref name="Mission7600">{{cite web |title=Two New Collection Assets to Greatly Expand MHS Target Coverage |url=https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/3089495/pages/MHS-collection-assets-p1-normal.gif |publisher=National Security Agency |access-date=2017-05-04 |date=2009-01-05}}</ref><ref name=TSR20161031>{{cite web |url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3095/1 |title=A NEMESIS in the sky: PAN, MENTOR 4, and close encounters of the SIGINT kind |author=Marco Langbroek |publisher=The Space Review |date=31 October 2016 |access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! Name
! Name
Line 26: Line 32:
! Remarks
! Remarks
|-
|-
|| [[USA-110]] || {{COSPAR|1995-022A}} || 14 May 1995<br/>13:45:01 || [[Titan IV|Titan IV(401)A]] || [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40|SLC-40]] || N/A || 127° E <ref name="NASASpaceFlight101119"/> || MENTOR 1 <ref name=sfn-20160611/>
|| [[USA-110]] || {{COSPAR|1995-022A}} || 14 May 1995<br/>13:45:01<ref name=sfn-20160611/> || [[Titan IV|Titan IV(401)A]] || [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|CCSFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40|SLC-40]] || N/A || 127° E <ref name="NASASpaceFlight101119"/> || MENTOR 1
|-
|| [[USA-139]] || {{COSPAR|1998-029A}} || 9 May 1998<br/>01:38:01<ref name=sfn-20160611/> || [[Titan IV|Titan IV(401)B]] || [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|CCSFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40|SLC-40]] || NROL-6 || {{nowrap|44° E (1998–2009)}}<br/>14.5°W (2009–) <ref name="NASASpaceFlight101119"/> || MENTOR 2
|-
|| [[USA-171]] || {{COSPAR|2003-041A}} || 9 September 2003<br/>04:29:00<ref name=sfn-20160611/> || [[Titan IV|Titan IV(401)B]] || [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|CCSFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40|SLC-40]] || NROL-19 || 95.5° E <ref name="NASASpaceFlight101119"/> || MENTOR 3
|-
|-
|| [[USA-139]] || {{COSPAR|1998-029A}} || 9 May 1998<br/>01:38:01 || [[Titan IV|Titan IV(401)B]] || [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40|SLC-40]] || NROL-6 || {{nowrap|44° E (1998–2009)}}<br/>14.5°W (2009–) <ref name="NASASpaceFlight101119"/> || MENTOR 2 <ref name=sfn-20160611/>
|| [[USA-202]] || {{COSPAR|2009-001A}} || 18 January 2009<br/>02:47:00<ref name=sfn-20160611/> || [[Delta IV Heavy]] || [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|CCSFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37|SLC-37B]] || NROL-26 || 44° E <ref name="NASASpaceFlight101119"/> || MENTOR 4
|-
|-
|| [[USA-171]] || {{COSPAR|2003-041A}} || 9 September 2003<br/>04:29:00 || [[Titan IV|Titan IV(401)B]] || [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40|SLC-40]] || NROL-19 || 95.5° E <ref name="NASASpaceFlight101119"/> || MENTOR 3 <ref name=sfn-20160611/>
|| [[USA-223]] || {{COSPAR|2010-063A}} ||style="white-space: nowrap"| 21 November 2010<br/>22:58:00<ref name=sfn-20160611/> || [[Delta IV Heavy]] || [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|CCSFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37|SLC-37B]] || NROL-32 || 100.9° E <ref name=GEN-DB-LOG-00074-OPS-GR>{{cite web |author1=T. Flohrer |author2=R. Choc |author3=B. Bastida |date=February 2011 |url=http://www.kfetter.com/EAS/ESAclassificationIssue13 |title=CLASSIFICATION OF GEOSYNCHRONOUS OBJECTS ISSUE 13 |publisher=ESA |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713145058/http://www.kfetter.com/EAS/ESAclassificationIssue13 |archive-date=2011-07-13}}</ref> || MENTOR 5
|-
|-
|| [[USA-202]] || {{COSPAR|2009-001A}} || 18 January 2009<br/>02:47:00 || [[Delta IV Heavy]] || [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37|SLC-37B]] || NROL-26 || 44° E <ref name="NASASpaceFlight101119"/> || MENTOR 4 <ref name=sfn-20160611/>
|| [[USA-237]] || {{COSPAR|2012-034A}} ||style="white-space: nowrap"| 29 June 2012<br/>13:15:00<ref name=sfn-20160611/> || [[Delta IV Heavy]] || [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|CCSFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37 |SLC-37B]] || NROL-15 || 89.21° E <ref name=GEN-DB-LOG-00211-OPS-GR>{{cite web |author1=ESA's Space Debris Office |date=April 2017 |url=http://www.astronomer.ru/data/0128/ESA_GEO_Classification_Report_issue_19.pdf |title=CLASSIFICATION OF GEOSYNCHRONOUS OBJECTS ISSUE 19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107105814/http://www.astronomer.ru/data/0128/ESA_GEO_Classification_Report_issue_19.pdf |publisher=ESA |archive-date=2019-01-07}}</ref> || MENTOR 6
|-
|-
|| [[USA-223]] || {{COSPAR|2010-063A}} ||style="white-space: nowrap"| 21 November 2010<br/>22:58:00 || [[Delta IV Heavy]] || [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37 |SLC-37B]] || NROL-32 || 100.9° E <ref name=GEN-DB-LOG-00074-OPS-GR>{{cite web|author1=T. Flohrer|author2=R. Choc|author3=B. Bastida|name-list-style=amp|date=February 2011 |url=http://www.kfetter.com/EAS/ESAclassificationIssue13|title=CLASSIFICATION OF GEOSYNCHRONOUS OBJECTS ISSUE 13|publisher=ESA|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713145058/http://www.kfetter.com/EAS/ESAclassificationIssue13|archive-date=2011-07-13}}</ref> || MENTOR 5 <ref name=sfn-20160611/>
|| [[USA-268]] || {{COSPAR|2016-036A}} ||style="white-space: nowrap"| 11 June 2016<br/>17:51:00<ref name=sfn-20160611>{{cite news |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/06/11/triple-barrel-delta-4-heavy-launches-national-security-satellite/ |title=Triple-barrel Delta 4-Heavy launches national security satellite |author=Justin Ray |publisher=Spaceflight Now |date=11 June 2016 |access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> || [[Delta IV Heavy]] || [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|CCSFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37 |SLC-37B]] || NROL-37 || 104.18° E <ref name=GEN-DB-LOG-00211-OPS-GR/> || MENTOR 7
|-
|-
|| [[USA-237]] || {{COSPAR|2012-034A}} ||style="white-space: nowrap"| 29 June 2012<br/>13:15:00 || [[Delta IV Heavy]] || [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37|SLC-37B]] || NROL-15 || 89.21° E <ref name=GEN-DB-LOG-00211-OPS-GR>{{cite web|author1=ESA's Space Debris Office|date=April 2017|url=http://www.astronomer.ru/data/0128/ESA_GEO_Classification_Report_issue_19 |title=CLASSIFICATION OF GEOSYNCHRONOUS OBJECTS ISSUE 19|publisher=ESA|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107105814/http://www.astronomer.ru/data/0128/ESA_GEO_Classification_Report_issue_19|archive-date=2019-01-07}}</ref> || MENTOR 6 <ref name=sfn-20160611/>
|| [[USA-311]] || {{COSPAR|2020-095A}} || 11 December 2020<br/>01:09<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Stephen |title=Delta 4-Heavy launches U.S. spy satellite after months of delays |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/12/11/delta-4-heavy-launches-u-s-spy-satellite-after-months-of-delays/ |publisher=Spaceflight Now |access-date=13 December 2020}}</ref> || [[Delta IV Heavy]] || [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|CCSFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37|SLC-37B]] || NROL-44 || 51° E<ref name="satobs20210066">{{cite web |url=http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Jan-2021/0066.html |title=ISON elements of Mentor 8 |first=Ted |last=Molczan |publisher=satobs.org |date=15 January 2021}}</ref> || MENTOR 8
|-
|-
|| [[USA-345]] || {{COSPAR|2023-089A}} || 22 June 2023<br/>09:18<ref>{{cite web |last=Graham |first=William |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/06/delta-iv-heavy-nrol-68/ |title=ULA's penultimate Delta IV Heavy launches NROL-68 mission |date=22 June 2023 |access-date=22 June 2023 |work=NASASpaceFlight}}</ref> || [[Delta IV Heavy]] || [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|CCSFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37|SLC-37B]] || NROL-68 || || MENTOR 9
|| [[USA-268]] || {{COSPAR|2016-036A}} ||style="white-space: nowrap"| 11 June 2016<br/>17:51:00 || [[Delta IV Heavy]] || [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37|SLC-37B]] || NROL-37 || 104.18° E <ref name=GEN-DB-LOG-00211-OPS-GR>{{cite web|author1=ESA's Space Debris Office|date=April 2017|url=http://www.astronomer.ru/data/0128/ESA_GEO_Classification_Report_issue_19 |title=CLASSIFICATION OF GEOSYNCHRONOUS OBJECTS ISSUE 19|publisher=ESA|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107105814/http://www.astronomer.ru/data/0128/ESA_GEO_Classification_Report_issue_19|archive-date=2019-01-07}}</ref> || MENTOR 7 <ref name=sfn-20160611>{{cite news |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/06/11/triple-barrel-delta-4-heavy-launches-national-security-satellite/|title=Triple-barrel Delta 4-Heavy launches national security satellite|author=Justin Ray |publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=11 June 2016|access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref>
|-
|-
|| [[USA-353]] || {{COSPAR|2024-067A}} || 9 April 2024
16:53<ref>{{cite web |title=Delta IV Heavy NROL-70 |url=https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/delta-iv-heavy-nrol-70 |access-date=10 April 2024}}</ref>
| [[Delta IV Heavy]] || [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|CCSFS]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37|SLC-37B]] || NROL-70 || ||
|}
|}


== References ==
== References ==
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.astronautix.com/a/advancedorion.html Advanced Orion] at [[Encyclopedia Astronautica]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161217160642/http://www.astronautix.com/a/advancedorion.html Advanced Orion] at [[Encyclopedia Astronautica]]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/magnum.htm Magnum/ Mentor/ Orion] at Globalsecurity.org
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/magnum.htm Magnum/ Mentor/ Orion] at Globalsecurity.org
* [https://satelliteobservation.wordpress.com/2017/09/24/a-radiotelescope-in-the-sky-the-usa-202-orion-satellite The USA 202 ORION satellite]
* [https://satelliteobservation.wordpress.com/2017/09/24/a-radiotelescope-in-the-sky-the-usa-202-orion-satellite The USA 202 ORION satellite]


{{US Reconnaissance Satellites}}
{{US Reconnaissance Satellites}}
{{Orbital launches in 2003}}
{{Orbital launches in 2009}}
{{Orbital launches in 2010}}
{{Orbital launches in 2012}}
{{Orbital launches in 2016}}
{{Orbital launches in 2020}}
{{Orbital launches in 2023}}


[[Category:Reconnaissance satellites of the United States]]
[[Category:Reconnaissance satellites of the United States]]
[[Category:Signals intelligence satellites]]
[[Category:Signals intelligence satellites]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s]]

Latest revision as of 11:43, 21 April 2024

For the crewed spacecraft, see Orion (spacecraft).

Artist's impression of the Orion Mentor-4 (USA-202) Signals Intelligence Satellite launched in January 2009

Orion, also known as Mentor or Advanced Orion,[1] is a class of United States spy satellites that collect signals intelligence (SIGINT) from space. Operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and developed with input from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), eight have been launched from Cape Canaveral on Titan IV and Delta IV launch vehicles since 1995.

Description

[edit]

These satellites at geostationary orbits collect radio emissions (SIGINT) and act as replacements for the older constellation of Magnum satellites. The satellites have estimated mass close to 5,200 kg and very large (estimated 100 m diameter)[2] radio reflecting dishes. USA-223 (NROL-32), which is seen as the fifth satellite in the series, is according to NRO director Bruce Carlson "the largest satellite in the world."[3] It is believed that this refers to the diameter of the main antenna, which might be well in excess of 100 m (330 ft).[4] The mission and capabilities of these satellites are highly classified, though targets may include telemetry, VHF radio, cellular mobile phones, paging signals, and mobile data links.[5] Earlier satellites with similar missions, the Rhyolite/Aquacade series, were built by TRW; it is not known who made the Orion satellites.[6]

  • USA-202 shows up as a magnitude +8 "star" in this image. Note how the real stars are trailed in this 10-second exposure: the geostationary satellite is pinpoint.
    USA-202 shows up as a magnitude +8 "star" in this image. Note how the real stars are trailed in this 10-second exposure: the geostationary satellite is pinpoint.
  • USA-223 (NROL-32), the fifth "Mentor" satellite, atop a Delta IV rocket
    USA-223 (NROL-32), the fifth "Mentor" satellite, atop a Delta IV rocket
  • USA-202 and the nearby commercial geostationary satellite Thuraya 2
    USA-202 and the nearby commercial geostationary satellite Thuraya 2

Satellites

[edit]

Mentor-4 (USA-202) deployment and initial westward drift after launch in January 2009 was controlled by the Pine Gap base. About 60 days after launch Menwith Hill Ground Station was to take over control and initiate the collection mission. Mentor-4's initial mission was to survey line-of-sight microwave towers and emitters in the People's Republic of China for 30 to 45 days as it was drifting from east to west. Moving further west, it was to collect data from the Thuraya network and monitor Pakistan and Afghanistan, followed by another 200 days of monitoring of China. This was to be followed by data collection covering the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Latin America.[7][8]

Name COSPAR ID Launch date
(UTC) 		Launch vehicle Launch site Launch
designation 		Longitude Remarks
USA-110 1995-022A 14 May 1995
13:45:01[1]		 Titan IV(401)A CCSFS, SLC-40 K.A. 127° E [4] MENTOR 1
USA-139 1998-029A 9 May 1998
01:38:01[1]		 Titan IV(401)B CCSFS, SLC-40 NROL-6 44° E (1998–2009)
14.5°W (2009–) [4]		 MENTOR 2
USA-171 2003-041A 9 September 2003
04:29:00[1]		 Titan IV(401)B CCSFS, SLC-40 NROL-19 95.5° E [4] MENTOR 3
USA-202 2009-001A 18 January 2009
02:47:00[1]		 Delta IV Heavy CCSFS, SLC-37B NROL-26 44° E [4] MENTOR 4
USA-223 2010-063A 21 November 2010
22:58:00[1]		 Delta IV Heavy CCSFS, SLC-37B NROL-32 100.9° E [9] MENTOR 5
USA-237 2012-034A 29 June 2012
13:15:00[1]		 Delta IV Heavy CCSFS, SLC-37B NROL-15 89.21° E [10] MENTOR 6
USA-268 2016-036A 11 June 2016
17:51:00[1]		 Delta IV Heavy CCSFS, SLC-37B NROL-37 104.18° E [10] MENTOR 7
USA-311 2020-095A 11 December 2020
01:09[11]		 Delta IV Heavy CCSFS, SLC-37B NROL-44 51° E[12] MENTOR 8
USA-345 2023-089A 22 June 2023
09:18[13]		 Delta IV Heavy CCSFS, SLC-37B NROL-68 MENTOR 9
USA-353 2024-067A 9 April 2024

16:53[14]

Delta IV Heavy CCSFS, SLC-37B NROL-70

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Justin Ray (11 June 2016). "Triple-barrel Delta 4-Heavy launches national security satellite". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  2. ^ "Les satellites espions de la NSA" [Spy satellites of the NSA]. Spyworld.fr (in French). 2006.
  3. ^ Bruce Carlson (13 September 2010). "National Reconnaissance Office Update" (PDF). afa.org. Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 December 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e William Graham (21 November 2010). "Delta IV Heavy launches with NROL-32". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
  5. ^ Campbell, Duncan (April 1999). "STOA Report: Interception Capabilities 2000".
  6. ^ Jonathan's Space Report No. 369. Archived 2009-06-19 at the Wayback Machine (1998-08-22).
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  9. ^ T. Flohrer; R. Choc; B. Bastida (February 2011). "CLASSIFICATION OF GEOSYNCHRONOUS OBJECTS ISSUE 13". ESA. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011.
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  11. ^ Clark, Stephen. "Delta 4-Heavy launches U.S. spy satellite after months of delays". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
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  14. ^ "Delta IV Heavy NROL-70". Retrieved 10 April 2024.
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