USA-234
| Mission type | Radar imaging |
|---|---|
| Operator | US NRO |
| COSPAR ID | 2012-014A |
| SATCAT no. | 38109 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Topaz |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 3 April 2012, 23:12:57 UTC |
| Rocket | SLC-6 |
| Contractor | ULA |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | retrograde) |
| Perigee altitude | 1,107 kilometres (688 mi)[1] |
| Apogee altitude | 1,114 kilometres (692 mi)[1] |
| Inclination | 123.00 degrees[1] |
| Period | 107.35 minutes[1] |
| Epoch | 18 January 2015, 16:58:55 UTC[1] |
USA-234, also known as NRO Launch 25 or NROL-25, is an American
radar imaging satellite to be launched as part of the Future Imagery Architecture programme.[2]
USA-234 was launched by
PDT) on 3 April 2012.[4] It was identified as NRO Launch 25, and was the nineteenth flight of a Delta IV; the vehicle was designated Delta 359, and named Electra.[5]
The satellite's orbit and mission are officially classified; however, it has been located by amateur observers in a 1,096 by 1,079 kilometres (681 by 670 mi) orbit, inclined at 123 degrees.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e Peat, Chris (18 January 2015). "USA 234 - Orbit". Heavens-Above. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
- ^ Krebs, Gunter. "FIA-Radar 1, 2, 3, 4". Gunter's Space Page.
- ^ Ray, Justin (28 March 2012). "Delta 4 poised for one last 'first flight' milestone". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ^ Ray, Justin (4 April 2012). "Delta 4 rocket successfully lofts surveillance satellite". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ^ Krebs, Gunter. "NROL launches". Gunter's Space Page.
- ^ Molczan, Ted (6 April 2012). "NROL-25: search TLE update". Seesat. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
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