Names | NROL-28 |
---|---|
Mission type | SIGINT |
Operator | United States NRO |
COSPAR ID | 2008-010A |
SATCAT no. | 32706 |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 13 March 2008, 10:02 UTC |
Rocket | Atlas V 411 (AV-006) |
Launch site | Vandenberg, SLC-3E |
Contractor | Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Service |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric orbit [1] |
Regime | Molniya orbit |
Perigee altitude | 1,112 km (691 mi) |
Apogee altitude | 37,580 km (23,350 mi) |
Inclination | 63.56° |
Period | 684.33 minutes |
Instruments | |
Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS-HEO 2) Magnetospheric science instrument (TWINS-B) | |
NROL-28 mission patch |
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]
USA-200 was launched by an Atlas V launch vehicle, flying in the 411 configuration, operated by United Launch Alliance. The launch vehicle 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 on 13 March 2008. [4] [5] It was identified as NRO Launch 28, [6] and was the thirteenth flight of an Atlas V. The launch vehicle 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 1,112 km (691 mi), an apogee of 37,580 km (23,350 mi), and 63.56° of orbital inclination and 684.33 minutes of orbital period. [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]
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