Prowler (satellite)
Mission type | Satellite inspection |
---|---|
Operator | US NRO |
COSPAR ID | N/A |
SATCAT no. | N/A |
Spacecraft properties | |
Hughes | |
Launch mass | 1,300 kilograms (2,900 lb) |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 15 November 1990, 23:48:13 | UTC
Rocket | PAM-D |
Launch site | Kennedy LC-39A |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | Near-geosynchronous |
Prowler was an American reconnaissance satellite launched aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1990 to study Soviet satellites in geosynchronous orbit. The government of the United States has never acknowledged its existence, however it has been identified by amateur observers and through leaked information.[1]
Spacecraft
Prowler was based on the
Prowler was designed to maneuver to within a few meters of satellites in geosynchronous orbit. Its purpose was either to monitor them and return data about them,[4] or to perform a signals intelligence mission such as intercepting communications between those satellites and the ground.[2][3]
Launch
It seems that Prowler was deployed from Space Shuttle Atlantis during the
Identification
The nature of STS-38's payload was classified, but observers attempted to identify it. Since Prowler is by nature stealthy, USA-67 was initially believed to be the only satellite deployed. Thus, because of the single payload and two upper stages, USA-67 was believed to be a Magnum satellite, deployed via a two-stage Inertial Upper Stage (IUS). Photographs released from later in the STS-38 mission have shown that Atlantis was not carrying the adaptor necessary to deploy an IUS during STS-38.[1]
In July 1998, amateur observers in Texas observed an unidentified object flashing in geosynchronous orbit.[8] The object was subsequently lost, then was rediscovered in June 2000 when its flashes became brighter,[9][10] some even visible with the naked eye. Following the 2000 observations amateur observers were still unable to identify the satellite, so began referring to it by the pseudo International Designator 2000-653A and pseudo Satellite Catalog Number 90007.[11]
In 2004 NBC published an article containing details about Prowler and its mission.[1][4]
In January 2010, amateur observer
See also
- Misty (satellite)
- MiTEx
- Space Based Space Surveillance
- Zirconic
References
- ^ a b c d Molczan, Ted (21 January 2011). "Unknown GEO Object 2000-653A / 90007 Identified as Prowler" (PDF). Visual Satellite Observer's Home Page. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
- ^ a b Pike, John. "PROWLER". Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ a b Krebs, Gunter. "Prowler". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ a b Windrem, Robert (9 December 2004). "What is America's top-secret spy program?". NBC News. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
- ^ a b Molczan, Ted (19 February 2011). "Evaluation of the Opportunity to Launch Prowler on STS 38" (PDF). Visual Satellite Observer's Home Page. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
- ^ Guillemette, Roger; Day, Dwayne A. (25 August 2008). "Space Age Hieroglyphs". The Space Review. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- SeeSat-L. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- SeeSat-L. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- SeeSat-L. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- SeeSat-L. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
- ^ Molczan, Ted (31 January 2010). "Identification of UI Objects in Classification of Geosynchronous Objects Issue 11" (PDF). Visual Satellite Observer's Home Page. Retrieved 14 April 2013.