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[[File:USA-224 launch.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The launch of USA-224]]
[[File:USA-224 launch.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The launch of USA-224]]
After the failure of the [[Boeing]] led [[Future Imagery Architecture]] program in 2005, NRO ordered two additional legacy hardware KH-11s. Critics of the decision voiced concerns that each "exquisite-class" satellite would cost more than the latest [[Nimitz class aircraft carrier]] (CVN-77)<ref name="DN20090602">{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20090602/C4ISR02/906020302/Spy-sat-rescue|title=Spy- sat rescue: Obama's proposal to prevent a gap in coverage sparks debate, optimism|publisher=Defense News|first=Ben|last=Iannotta|date=2 June 2009}}</ref> with its projected procurement cost of US$ 6.35 billion as of May 2005.<ref name="NHC20050525">{{cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/navycvn21.htm|title=Navy CVN-21 Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress|publisher=Naval Historical Center|first=Ronald|last=O'Rourke|date=25 May 2005}}</ref> USA-224 - the first of these two - was completed by [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed]] US $ 2 billion under the initial budget estimate, and two years ahead of schedule.<ref name="NRO20110907">{{cite web | title=10 Who Made a Difference in Space: Bruce Carlson, NRO Director|date=2011-09-07 |publisher= Space News / NRO | url=http://www.nro.gov/news/articles/2011/2011-01.pdf}}</ref>
After the failure of the [[Boeing]] led [[Future Imagery Architecture]] program in 2005, NRO ordered two additional legacy hardware KH-11s. Critics of the decision voiced concerns that each "exquisite-class" satellite would cost more than the latest [[Nimitz class aircraft carrier]] (CVN-77)<ref name="DN20090602">{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20090602/C4ISR02/906020302/Spy-sat-rescue|title=Spy- sat rescue: Obama's proposal to prevent a gap in coverage sparks debate, optimism|publisher=Defense News|first=Ben|last=Iannotta|date=2 June 2009}}</ref> with its projected procurement cost of US$ 6.35 billion as of May 2005.<ref name="NHC20050525">{{cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/navycvn21.htm|title=Navy CVN-21 Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress|publisher=Naval Historical Center|first=Ronald|last=O'Rourke|date=25 May 2005}}</ref> USA-224 - the first of these two - was completed by [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed]] US $ 2 billion under the initial budget estimate, and two years ahead of schedule.<ref name="NRO20110907">{{cite web | title=10 Who Made a Difference in Space: Bruce Carlson, NRO Director|date=2011-09-07 |publisher= Space News / NRO | url=http://www.nro.gov/news/articles/2011/2011-01.pdf}}</ref>
USA-224 was launched atop a [[Delta IV]] Heavy rocket from [[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 6|Space Launch Complex 6]] at the [[Vandenberg Air Force Base]] in [[California]]. The launch was conducted by [[United Launch Alliance]], and was the first flight of a Delta IV Heavy from Vandenberg.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d352/padmods/|title=Delta 4-Heavy ready to serve nation from West Coast pad|date=19 January 2011|publisher=Spaceflight Now|first=Justin|last=Ray|accessdate=22 January 2011}}</ref> Liftoff occurred on January 20, 2011 at 21:10:30 UTC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d352/status.html|title=Mission Status Center|work=Delta Launch Report|publisher=Spaceflight Now|first=Justin|last=Ray}}</ref> Upon reaching orbit, the satellite received the [[International Designator]] 2011-002A.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zarya.info/Diaries/2011.php|title=Space events - 2011|first=Robert|last=Christy|work=Zarya|accessdate=22 January 2011}}</ref> The early launch of USA-224, and operational changes to extend the lifetime of its predecessor USA-161, reduced the coverage gap caused by the end of the primary mission of USA-161 to just 33 days.<ref name="NRO20110907"/>
USA-224 was launched atop a [[Delta IV]] Heavy rocket from [[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 6|Space Launch Complex 6]] at the [[Vandenberg Air Force Base]] in [[California]]. The launch was conducted by [[United Launch Alliance]], and was the first flight of a Delta IV Heavy from Vandenberg.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d352/padmods/|title=Delta 4-Heavy ready to serve nation from West Coast pad|date=19 January 2011|publisher=Spaceflight Now|first=Justin|last=Ray|accessdate=22 January 2011}}</ref> Liftoff occurred on January 20, 2011 at 21:10:30 UTC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d352/status.html|title=Mission Status Center|work=Delta Launch Report|publisher=Spaceflight Now|first=Justin|last=Ray}}</ref> Upon reaching orbit, the satellite received the [[International Designator]] 2011-002A.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zarya.info/Diaries/2011.php|title=Space events - 2011|first=Robert|last=Christy|work=Zarya|accessdate=22 January 2011|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019065644/http://www.zarya.info/Diaries/2011.php|archivedate=19 October 2012|df=}}</ref> The early launch of USA-224, and operational changes to extend the lifetime of its predecessor USA-161, reduced the coverage gap caused by the end of the primary mission of USA-161 to just 33 days.<ref name="NRO20110907"/>


Of the fifteenth KH-11 satellite to be launched, USA-224 is a member of one of the later block configurations occasionally [[KH-11 Kennan#Block IV|identified as being a separate system]]. Details of its mission and orbit are classified, however [[satellite watching|amateur observers]] have identified it as being in a [[Low Earth orbit]] and tracked it. Shortly after launch it was in an orbit with a [[Apsis|perigee]] of {{convert|251|km}}, an [[apsis|apogee]] of {{convert|1023|km}} and 97.9 degrees of [[inclination]], typical for an operational KH-11 satellite.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Jan-2011/0195.html|title=RE: NROL-49 search elements|publisher=SeeSat-L|first=Ted|last=Molczan|date=21 January 2011|accessdate=22 January 2011}}</ref> By April it was {{convert|260|by|987|km|mi}} at 97.93 degrees.<ref name="seesat_Apr-2011_0337">{{cite web|url=http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2011/0337.html|title=NROL-34: NOSS 3-5 elements|publisher=http://www.satobs.org/seesat|first=Ted|last=Molczan|date=2011-04-27}}</ref> As of {{Orbit|epoch|5 August 2014}} it is in a {{convert|{{Orbit|perigee|270}}|by|{{Orbit|apogee|986}}|km|mi}} orbit with inclination of {{Orbit|inclination|97.92}}&nbsp;degrees and an [[orbital period]] of {{Orbit|period|97.13}}&nbsp;minutes
Of the fifteenth KH-11 satellite to be launched, USA-224 is a member of one of the later block configurations occasionally [[KH-11 Kennan#Block IV|identified as being a separate system]]. Details of its mission and orbit are classified, however [[satellite watching|amateur observers]] have identified it as being in a [[Low Earth orbit]] and tracked it. Shortly after launch it was in an orbit with a [[Apsis|perigee]] of {{convert|251|km}}, an [[apsis|apogee]] of {{convert|1023|km}} and 97.9 degrees of [[inclination]], typical for an operational KH-11 satellite.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Jan-2011/0195.html|title=RE: NROL-49 search elements|publisher=SeeSat-L|first=Ted|last=Molczan|date=21 January 2011|accessdate=22 January 2011}}</ref> By April it was {{convert|260|by|987|km|mi}} at 97.93 degrees.<ref name="seesat_Apr-2011_0337">{{cite web|url=http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2011/0337.html|title=NROL-34: NOSS 3-5 elements|publisher=http://www.satobs.org/seesat|first=Ted|last=Molczan|date=2011-04-27}}</ref> As of {{Orbit|epoch|5 August 2014}} it is in a {{convert|{{Orbit|perigee|270}}|by|{{Orbit|apogee|986}}|km|mi}} orbit with inclination of {{Orbit|inclination|97.92}}&nbsp;degrees and an [[orbital period]] of {{Orbit|period|97.13}}&nbsp;minutes

Revision as of 09:50, 11 November 2017

USA-224
Mission typeOptical imaging
OperatorUS NRO
COSPAR ID2011-002A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.37348
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type
KH-11
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Start of mission
Launch date20 January 2011, 21:10:30 (2011-01-20UTC21:10:30Z) UTC
Rocket
SLC-6
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude270 kilometers (170 mi)[1]
Apogee altitude986 kilometers (613 mi)[1]
Inclination97.92 degrees[1]
Period97.13 minutes[1]
Epoch5 August 2014, 00:12:52 UTC[1]
 

USA-224, also known as NRO Launch 49 (NRO L-49), is an

KH-11 optical imaging satellite, the fifteenth such spacecraft to be launched, and intended as a replacement of the USA-161
satellite launched in 2001.

Project history and cost

The launch of USA-224

After the failure of the

Nimitz class aircraft carrier (CVN-77)[2] with its projected procurement cost of US$ 6.35 billion as of May 2005.[3] USA-224 - the first of these two - was completed by Lockheed US $ 2 billion under the initial budget estimate, and two years ahead of schedule.[4]
USA-224 was launched atop a
Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The launch was conducted by United Launch Alliance, and was the first flight of a Delta IV Heavy from Vandenberg.[5] Liftoff occurred on January 20, 2011 at 21:10:30 UTC.[6] Upon reaching orbit, the satellite received the International Designator 2011-002A.[7] The early launch of USA-224, and operational changes to extend the lifetime of its predecessor USA-161, reduced the coverage gap caused by the end of the primary mission of USA-161 to just 33 days.[4]

Of the fifteenth KH-11 satellite to be launched, USA-224 is a member of one of the later block configurations occasionally

inclination, typical for an operational KH-11 satellite.[8] By April it was 260 by 987 kilometres (162 by 613 mi) at 97.93 degrees.[9] As of 5 August 2014 it is in a 270 by 986 kilometres (168 by 613 mi) orbit with inclination of 97.92 degrees and an orbital period
of 97.13 minutes

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Peat, Chris (5 August 2014). "USA 224 - Orbit". Heavens-Above. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  2. ^ Iannotta, Ben (2 June 2009). "Spy- sat rescue: Obama's proposal to prevent a gap in coverage sparks debate, optimism". Defense News.
  3. ^ O'Rourke, Ronald (25 May 2005). "Navy CVN-21 Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress". Naval Historical Center.
  4. ^ a b "10 Who Made a Difference in Space: Bruce Carlson, NRO Director" (PDF). Space News / NRO. 2011-09-07.
  5. ^ Ray, Justin (19 January 2011). "Delta 4-Heavy ready to serve nation from West Coast pad". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  6. ^ Ray, Justin. "Mission Status Center". Delta Launch Report. Spaceflight Now.
  7. ^ Christy, Robert. "Space events - 2011". Zarya. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Molczan, Ted (21 January 2011). "RE: NROL-49 search elements". SeeSat-L. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  9. ^ Molczan, Ted (2011-04-27). "NROL-34: NOSS 3-5 elements". http://www.satobs.org/seesat. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
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