List of NRO launches

Last updated

The National Reconnaissance Office logo NRO.svg
The National Reconnaissance Office logo

This is a list of NRO Launch (NROL) designations for satellites operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office. Those missions are generally classified, so that their exact purposes and orbital elements are not published. However, amateur astronomers have managed to observe most of the satellites, and leaked information has led to the identification of many of the payloads.

Contents

Launch statistics

Launch vehicle families

Launch sites

Launch history

Launch
designation		Payload
nickname		Satellite
designation		Date/time, UTCLaunch siteRocketOrbitProjectFunctionStatusPatchRemarks
L-1Nemesis [1] USA-17931 August 2004
23:17 [2] 		CCAFS, SLC-36A [2] Atlas IIAS39,053 × 1,316 km × 63.7° (Molniya) [3] Quasar 15 [4] Communications Entered service, status unknown NROL-1 Mission Patch.png
L-2USA-12920 December 1996
18:04		 VAFB, SLC-4E Titan IV LEO KH-11 12 [5] Optical imagingDeorbitedReentered on 1 May 2014. [6] [7]
L-3USA-13324 October 1997
02:32		 VAFB, SLC-4E Titan IV 679 × 666 km × 57° (LEO) [8] Lacrosse 3 Synthetic-aperture radar Entered service, status unknown
L-4OscarUSA-1368 November 1997
02:05		 CCAFS, SLC-41 Titan IV/Centaur 36,523 × 3,849 km × 63.6° (Molniya) [9] Trumpet 3 [10] ELINT Entered service, status unknown NROL-4 Mission Patch.png
L-5Capricorn [1] USA-13729 January 1998
18:37		 CCAFS, SLC-36A Atlas IIA Molniya Quasar 12 [4] Communications Entered service, status unknown NROL-5 Mission Patch.png
L-6JackUSA-139 [11] 9 May 1998
01:38		 CCAFS, SLC-40 Titan IV/Centaur 35,945 × 35,642 km × 8.4° (GSO) [12] Orion 4 [13] SIGINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-6 Dragon Mission Patch.png
L-7ElwoodN/A12 August 1998
11:30		 CCAFS, SLC-41 Titan IV/Centaur GSO (planned) Mercury ELINT Destroyed "Cheers! Saving the Best for Last!!" Rocket self-destructed 40 seconds into launch due to guidance problem. [14]
L-8USA-140, USA-1413 October 1998
10:04		 VAFB, LC-576E Taurus 1110 LEO STEX TechnologyEntered service, status unknown NROL-8 Mission Patch.png ATEX experiment jettisoned on 16 January 1999 and catalogued as USA-141.
L-9 USA-144 [1] 22 May 1999
09:36 [15] 		VAFB, SLC-4E [15] Titan IVB Misty Optical imagingEntered service, status unknown NROL-9 Mission Patch.png First Titan IV-B launch from VAFB.
L-10Ursa Major [1]
(Great Bear)		USA-1556 December 2000
02:47 [2] 		CCAFS, SLC-36A Atlas IIAS35,854 × 35,732 km × 9.3° (GSO) [16] Quasar 13 [4] Communications Entered service, presumed active NROL-10 Mission Patch.png
L-11Onyx / VegaUSA-15217 August 2000
23:45		 VAFB, SLC-4E Titan IVB695 × 689 km × 68° (LEO) [8] Lacrosse 4 SAR Entered service, status unknown NROL-11 Mission Patch.png

NROL-11 Mission Patch Alternate.png
L-12Aquila [1] USA-16211 October 2001
02:32 [2] 		CCAFS, SLC-36B Atlas IIAS35,803 × 35,785 km × 10.9° (GSO) [17] Quasar 14 [4] Communications Entered service, presumed active NROL-12 Mission Patch.png
L-13Gemini [1] USA-1608 September 2001
15:25		 VAFB, SLC-3E [2] Atlas IIAS 1,486 × 740 km × 63.4° (LEO) [18] Intruder 5A & 5B [19] Naval reconnaissanceEntered service, status unknown NROL-13 Mission Patch.png Two satellites.
L-14USA-1615 October 2001
21:21		 VAFB, SLC-4E Titan IVB LEO KH-11 13 [5] Optical reconnaissanceDeorbited NROL-14 Mission Patch.png Reentered in November 2014. [20] [21]
L-15USA-23729 June 2012
13:15 [22] 		CCAFS, SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy
(first RS-68A upgrade)		35,960 × 35,628 km × 2.8° (GSO) [23] Orion 8 [24] SIGINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-15 Mission Patch.png
L-16PrometheusUSA-182 [11] 30 April 2005
00:50 [25] 		CCAFS, SLC-40 Titan IVB728 × 725 km × 57.0° (LEO) [26] Lacrosse 5 [8] SAR Entered service, status unknown NROL-16 Mission Patch.png
L-17GeoLITE [1] USA-15818 May 2001
17:45 [27] 		CCAFS, SLC-17B Delta II 7925-9.5 GSO GeoLITE Technology demonstrationRetired NROL-17 Mission Patch.png Boosted to graveyard orbit after end of mission. [28] Testbed for experimental laser and UHF communications payloads. [29]
L-18Libra [1] USA-1732 December 2003
10:04 [2] 		VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas IIAS1,435 × 786 km × 63.4° (LEO) [30] Intruder 6A & B [19] Naval reconnaissanceEntered service, status unknown NROL-18 Mission Patch.png Two satellites.
L-19Homer [31] USA-171 [11] 9 September 2003
04:29 [32] 		CCAFS, SLC-40 Titan IVB-Centaur 35,995 × 35,592 km × 11.4° (GSO) [33] Orion 5 [24] SIGINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-19 Mission Patch.png
L-20USA-186 [11] 19 October 2005
18:05 [34] 		VAFB, SLC-4E Titan IVB473 × 268 km × 96.9° (LEO) [35] KH-11 14 [5] Optical imagingEntered service, presumed active NROL-20 Mission Patch.png Last launch of a Titan rocket.
L-21 USA-193 [1] 14 December 2006
21:00 [27] 		VAFB, SLC-2W Delta II 7920-10 LEO UnknownUnknownDestroyed NROL-21 Mission Patch.png Failed on orbit immediately after launch. Destroyed by ASAT on 21 February 2008.
L-22 USA-184 [1] 28 June 2006
03:33		 VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV M+(4,2)38,628 × 1,740 km × 63° (Molniya) [36] Improved Trumpet 4 [37] ELINT Entered service, status unknown NROL-22 Mission Patch.png
L-23Canis Minor [1] USA-1813 February 2005
07:41		 CCAFS, SLC-36B Atlas IIIB1,404 × 822 km × 63.4° (LEO) [38] Intruder 7A & 7B [19] Naval reconnaissanceEntered service, status unknown NROL-23 Mission Patch.png Two satellites.
L-24Scorpius [1] USA-19810 December 2007
22:05		 CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 40139,899 × 461 km × 63.4° (Molniya) [39] Quasar 16 [4] Communications Entered service, presumed active NROL-24 Mission Patch.png
L-25Altair USA-234 3 April 2012
23:12 [40] [41] 		VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV M+ (5,2)1,112 × 1,109 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO) [42] Topaz 2 [43] Radar imagingEntered service, presumed active NROL-25 Mission Patch.png
L-26 USA-202 18 January 2009
02:47		 CCAFS, SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy 35,814 × 35,774 km × 6.1° (GSO) [44] Orion 6 [24] SIGINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-26 Mission Patch.png
L-27Gryphon [31] USA-227 11 March 2011
23:38		 CCAFS, SLC-37B Delta IV M+(4,2)35,810 × 35,778 km × 4.6° (GSO) [45] Quasar 17 [4] Communications Entered service, presumed active NROL-27 Mission Patch.png
L-28 USA-200 13 March 2008
10:02		 VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 41138,009 × 2,362 km × 63.2° (Molniya) [46] Improved Trumpet 5 [37] ELINT Entered service, status unknown NROL-28 Mission Patch.png
L-29N/A VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 521 [47] FIA-Optical 1Canceled
L-30Pyxis [1] USA-19415 June 2007
15:12		 CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 4011,347 × 879 km × 63.4° (LEO) [48] Intruder 8A & 8B [19] Naval reconnaissanceEntered service, presumed active NROL-30 Mission Patch.png Two satellites.
Premature 2nd stage cutoff during launch. Lifetime reduced by need to correct orbit.
L-31-2028 [49] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-32 [50] USA-223 21 November 2010
22:58 [51] 		CCAFS, SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy 35,979 × 35,609 km × 4.6° (GSO) [52] Orion 7 [24] SIGINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-32 Patch.png
L-33 [53] USA-252 22 May 2014
13:09		 CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 40135,810 × 35,778 km × 2.7° (GSO) [54] Quasar 19 [4] CommunicationsEntered service, presumed active NROL-33 mission patch.png
L-34Odin [55] USA-229 15 April 2011
04:24		 VAFB, SLC-3E [51] Atlas V 4111,261 × 965 km × 63.4° (LEO) [56] Intruder 9A & 9B [19] Naval reconnaissanceEntered service, presumed active NROL-34 Mission Patch.png Two satellites.
L-35Jacquelyn USA-259 13 December 2014
03:19		 VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 54139,083 × 1,286 km × 63.4° (Molniya) [57] Trumpet 6 (third generation) [58] ELINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-35 Mission Patch.png First flight of the RL10C-1 rocket engine, used by the Centaur upper stage
L-36 [59] USA-238 [60] 13 September 2012
21:39 [41] 		VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 4011,225 × 1,001 km × 63.4° (LEO) [61] Intruder 10A & 10B [19] Naval reconnaissanceEntered service, presumed active NROL-36 Mission Patch.png Two satellites sharing a designation.
L-37 [62] USA-268 11 June 2016
17:51		 CCAFS, SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy 35,993 × 35,594 km × 6.5° (GSO) [63] Orion 9 [24] SIGINT [64] Entered service, presumed active NROL-37 Mission Patch.png Likely the seventh so called Mentor/Orion satellite for the National Security Agency. [65]
L-38 [66] DrakeUSA-23620 June 2012
12:28 [41] 		CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 40135,815 × 35,773 km × 3.1° (GSO) [67] Quasar 18 [4] CommunicationsEntered service, presumed active NROL-38 Mission Patch.png
L-39 [68] USA-247 6 December 2013
07:14 [69] 		VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 5011,113 × 1,109 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO) [70] Topaz 3 [43] Radar imagingEntered service, presumed active NROL 39 vector logo.svg
L-40-2028 [71] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-41 [50] Gladys [31] USA-215 [1] 21 September 2010
04:03 [51] 		VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 5011,112 × 1,109 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO) [72] Topaz 1 [43] Radar imagingEntered service, presumed active NROL-41 Mission Patch.png
L-42 [73] USA-27824 September 2017
05:49:47		 VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 54139,230 × 1,138 km × 63.6° (Molniya) [74] Trumpet 7 (third generation) [58] ELINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-42 Mission Patch.png
L-43-2028 [75] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-44 [73] USA-31111 December 2020
01:09		 CCSFS, SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy 35,992 × 35,596 km × 7.6° (GSO) [76] Orion 10 [65] SIGINT [64] Entered service, presumed active [77] NROL-44 Mission Patch.png
L-45 [68] USA-267 10 February 2016
11:40		 VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV M+(5,2)1,115 × 1,106 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO) [78] Topaz 4 [43] Radar imagingEntered service, presumed active NROL-45 Mission Patch Alternate Version.png
NROL-45 Logo.png
L-46-2028 [79] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-47USA-28112 January 2018
22:11		 VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV M+(5,2)1,088 × 1,085 km × 106° (Retrograde LEO) [80] Topaz 5 [43] Radar imagingEntered service, presumed active NROL-47Patch.png
L-48-2028 [81] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-49 [50] Betty [31] USA-224 20 January 2011
21:10 [82] 		VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV Heavy 1,003 × 262 km × 97.9° (LEO) [83] KH-11 15 [5] Optical imagingEntered service, presumed active NROL-49 Mission Patch.png
L-50-2028 [84] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-51-2028 [85] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned


L-52 [73] USA-27915 October 2017
07:28		 CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 42135,810 × 35,778 km × 3.2° (GSO) [86] Quasar 21 [87] Communications Entered service, presumed active NROL-52 Mission Patch.png
L-53-2028 [88] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-54-2028 [89] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-55 [73] USA-2648 October 2015
12:49		 VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 4011,150 × 1,076 km × 63.4° (LEO) [90] [91] Intruder 11A & 11B Naval reconnisance [65] Entered service, presumed active NROL-55, mission badge.png Two classified satellites (NROL-55) and 13 CubeSats.
L-56 [92] -2026 CCAFS, SLC-41 Vulcan Centaur Awaiting launch
L-57-2028 [93] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-58-2028 [94] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-59-2028 [95] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-60-2028 [96] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-61 [73] Spike [97] USA-269 28 July 2016
12:37 [98] 		CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 42135,808 × 35,779 km × 2.8° (GSO) [99] [100] Quasar 20 [87] Communications Entered service, presumed active NROL-61 Mission Patch.png
L-61-2028 [101] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-62-2028 [102] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-63-2028 [103] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-64-Q3 2025 [104] Cape Canaveral, SLC-41 Vulcan Centaur Awaiting launch
L-65 [105] USA-245 28 August 2013
18:03		 VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV Heavy 991 × 275 km × 97.9° (LEO) [106] KH-11 16 [5] Optical imagingEntered service, presumed active NROL-65 Mission Patch.png
L-66 [107] USA-225 6 February 2011
12:26		 VAFB, SLC-8 Minotaur I 1,232 × 1,214 km × 90.1° (LEO) [108] RPP TechnologyEntered service, status unknown NROL-66 Patch.png
L-67 [109] USA-250 10 April 2014
17:45		 CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 54135,811 × 35,777 km × 1.4° (GSO) [110] SIGINT High Altitude Replenishment Program (SHARP-1) SIGINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-67 Mission Patch.png
L-68 [64] USA-345 22 June 2023
09:18 [111] 		CCSFS, SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy Orion 11 SIGINT Entered service, presumed active NROL-68 Mission Patch.png
L-69 [112] -Q1 2024 [113] KSC, LC-39A or CCSFS, SLC-40 [114] Falcon 9 Block 5 Awaiting launch
L-70 [64] -9 April 2024 [115] CCSFS, SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy Orion 12 SIGINT Entered service, status unknown Nrol 70.png Last launch of Delta family
L-71 [73] USA-29019 January 2019
19:05 [41] [116] 		VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV Heavy 423 × 406 km × 73.6° (LEO) [117] KH-11 17 [5] Optical imagingEntered service, presumed active NROL 71.png
L-72-2028 [118] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-73 [92] -2026 VSFB, SLC-3E Vulcan Centaur Awaiting launch
L-74-2028 [119] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-75-2028 [120] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-76 [121] USA-276 1 May 2017
11:15 [122] 		KSC, LC-39A Falcon 9 Full Thrust 393 × 393 km × 50.0° (LEO) [123] [124] [125] Entered service, presumed active NROL-76 Mission Patch.png
L-77 [92] -NLT 2026 CCSFS or KSC Falcon 9 Block 5 Awaiting launch
L-78-2028 [126] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-79 [73] [127] USA-2741 March 2017
17:50 [128] 		VAFB, SLC-3E Atlas V 4011,119 × 1,107 km × 63.4° (LEO) [129] Intruder 12A & 12B [19] Naval reconnaissanceEntered service, presumed active NROL-79 Mission Patch.png Two classified satellites sharing a designation.
L-80-2028 [130] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-81-2028 [131] Vulcan Centaur or Falcon 9 Block 5 Planned
L-82 [64] [132] USA-31426 April 2021
20:47 [133] 		VAFB, SLC-6 Delta IV Heavy 794 × 535 km × 98.1° (LEO) [134] KH-11 18 [5] Electro-optical surveillanceEntered service, presumed active NROL-82 Mission Patch.png
L-83-Q3 2025 [135] VSFB, SLC-3E Vulcan Centaur Awaiting launch
L-85 [136] USA-32717 April 2022
13:13		 VSFB, SLC-4E Falcon 9 Block 5 LEO 63° [137] Intruder 13A & 13B Naval reconnaissanceEntered service, presumed active NROL-85 Patch.png
L-87 [138] USA-3262 February 2022
20:27 [139] 		VSFB, SLC-4E Falcon 9 Block 5 SSO [137] Entered service, presumed active NROL-87 Patch.png
L-91 [132] USA-33824 September 2022
22:25 [140] 		VSFB, SLC-6 Delta IV Heavy LEO KH-11 19 Electro-optical surveillanceEntered service, presumed active NROL-91 Patch.png
L-100 [92] -NLT 2026 VSFB, SLC-3E Vulcan Centaur Awaiting launch
L-101 USA-310 13 November 2020
22:32 [141] 		CCAFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 53111105 × 11081 km × 58.5° (MEO) [142] Entered service, presumed active NROL-101 Mission Patch.png
L-107 [138] USA-346
USA-347
USA-348		10 September 2023
12:47 [143] 		CCSFS, SLC-41 Atlas V 551 GSO 42464 × 41864 km × 0°SilentbarkerSituational awareness [144] Entered service, presumed active NROL-107 Mission Patch.png Three satellites
L-108 [145] USA-312
USA-313		19 December 2020
14:00 [146] 		KSC, LC-39A Falcon 9 Block 5 540 × 528 km × 53°(LEO) [147] Entered service, presumed active NROL-108 Patch.png Two satellites, possibly SpaceX Starshield prototypes. [148]
L-109 [92] -NLT 2026 CCAFS, SLC-41 Vulcan Centaur Awaiting launch
L-111 [149] USA-316
USA-317
USA-318		15 June 2021
13:35 UTC		 MARS, LP-0B Minotaur I Technology Entered service, presumed active NROL-111 Mission Patch.png Three satellites.
L-118 [92] -NLT 2026 CCAFS, SLC-41 Vulcan Centaur GSO SilentbarkerSituational awarenessAwaiting launch
L-123 [150]
(RASR-5)		USA-352
MOLA
Aerocube 16A
Aerocube 16B		21 March 2024
07:25 UTC		 MARS, LP-0C Electron LEO TechnologyEntered service, presumed active NROL-123-Trio.png RASR-5. Four satellites. First NRO launch on an Electron from Wallops, VA.
L-129 [151] [152] USA-305
USA-306
USA-307
USA-308		15 July 2020
13:46 UTC		 MARS, LP-0B Minotaur IV / Orion 38 580 × 574 km × 54.0° (LEO) [153] Entered service, presumed active NROL-129 Mission Patch with Female Warrior.png
NROL-129 Mission Patch with Male Warrior.png 		Four payloads. First NRO launch on a Minotaur IV and first from Virginia's Space Coast. [154]
L-151 [155] [156]
(RASR-1)		Deep Dive [157] USA-294 [158] 31 January 2020
02:56 [159] 		Mahia, LC-1A Electron 594 × 586 km × 70.0° (LEO) [160] TechnologyEntered service, presumed active NROL-151 Mission Patch.svg First Rocket Lab Electron launch, first launch from outside the United States (New Zealand), and first launch procured under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program. Flew on Rocket Lab's "Birds of a Feather" mission.
L-162 [161] (RASR-3)USA-33413 July 2022
06:30		 Mahia, LC-1A Electron Entered service, presumed active NROL-162 Patch.png RASR-3. Back-to-back launch under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program. [162]
L-174 [163] -April 2024 [164] Minotaur IV / Orion 38 Awaiting launch
L-199 [165] (RASR-4)USA-3354 August 2022
05:00		 Mahia, LC-1B Electron Entered service, presumed active NROL-199 Patch.png RASR-4. Back-to-back launch under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program. [162]
RASR-2 [166] [167] USA-301
USA-302
USA-303		13 June 2020
05:12		 Mahia, LC-1A Electron Entered service, presumed activeThree technology demonstration smallsats. Primary customer of the rideshare mission procured under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program. Flew on Rocket Lab's "Don't Stop Me Now" mission.
Undesignated [168] IMPACT-2A and IMPACT-2B2 November 2019
13:59:47		 MARS, Pad 0A Antares Technology demonstrationEntered service, presumed activeTwo technology demonstration CubeSats launched as part of the NRO's IMPACT program. Secondary payloads, launched with Cygnus NG-12.
Launch
designation		Launch nameSatellite
designation		Launch
date/time (UTC)		Launch siteRocketOrbitProjectFunctionStatusPatchRemarks

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">USA-215</span> American radar reconnaissance satellite

USA-215, also known as NRO Launch 41 or NROL-41, is an American reconnaissance satellite, operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Launched in 2010, it has been identified as the first in a new series of imaging radar satellites, developed as part of the Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) programme, to replace the earlier Lacrosse spacecraft.

USA-234, also known as NRO Launch 25 or NROL-25, is an American reconnaissance satellite, operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in 2012, it has been identified as the second radar imaging satellite to be launched as part of the Future Imagery Architecture programme.

USA-184, also known as NRO Launch 22 or NROL-22, is an American signals intelligence satellite, operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched in 2006, it has been identified as the first in a new series of satellites which are replacing the earlier Trumpet spacecraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">USA-245</span> American reconnaissance satellite

USA-245 or NRO Launch 65 (NROL-65) is an American reconnaissance satellite which is operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched in August 2013, it is the last Block 4 KH-11 reconnaissance satellite, and the last official spacecraft to be launched in the Keyhole program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 in spaceflight</span> Spaceflight-related events during the year of 2020

This article documents notable spaceflight events during the year 2020.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive – US Military Launch Record None Retrieved on September 15, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Encyclopedia Astronautica – Atlas IIAS Astronautix.com Retrieved on September 15, 2011.
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  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Krebs, Gunter (4 February 2020). "SDS-3 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "KH-11 / Kennen / Crystal". Gunter's Space Page. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  6. ↑ "USA 224 recovered, USA 186 still drifting, and looking for GPS IIF-6 20 minutes after launch". SatTrackCam. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  7. ↑ "Space Activities in 2014" (PDF). Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 "Lacrosse 1, 2, 3, 4, 5". Gunter's Space Page. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  9. ↑ "USA 136". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  10. ↑ "Trumpet 1, 2, 3". Gunter's Space Page. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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  12. ↑ "USA 139". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  13. ↑ "Orion 3, 4". Gunter's Space Page. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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  15. 1 2 National Reconnaissance Satellite Successfully Launched May 22, 1999 Archived May 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  16. ↑ "USA 155". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  17. ↑ "USA 162". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  18. ↑ "USA 160". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Intruder 5, ..., 12 (NOSS-3 1, ..., 8)". Gunter's Space Page. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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  21. ↑ "Space Activities in 2015" (PDF). Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
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  26. ↑ "USA 182". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  27. 1 2 Encyclopedia Astronautica – Delta 7000 Archived March 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
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  30. ↑ "USA 173". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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  32. ↑ NRO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES PAYLOAD FROM TITAN IV September 10, 2003 Archived May 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  33. ↑ "USA 171". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  34. ↑ NRO Payload Takes Last Ride Aboard Titan IV October 20, 2005 Archived August 26, 2006, at archive.today PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  35. ↑ "USA 186". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  36. ↑ "USA 184". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  37. 1 2 "Trumpet 4, 5 / SBIRS HEO-1, 2". Gunter's Space Page. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  38. ↑ "USA 181". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  39. ↑ "USA 198". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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  43. 1 2 3 4 5 "Topaz 1, 2, 3, 4, 5". Gunter's Space Page. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  44. ↑ "USA 202". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  45. ↑ "USA 227". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  46. ↑ "USA 200". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  47. ↑ "ILS Atlas Adds NRO Mission to West Coast Launch Manifest | Commercial Space Watch". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  48. ↑ "USA 194". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  49. ↑ "NROL launches". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  50. 1 2 3 "Launch schedule". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  51. 1 2 3 "Atlas Launch Report". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
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  54. ↑ "USA 252". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  55. ↑ :::: United Launch Alliance, LLC :::: Archived September 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Ulalaunch.com Retrieved on September 15, 2011.
  56. ↑ "USA 229". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  57. ↑ "USA 259". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  58. 1 2 Krebs, Gunter (4 November 2020). "Trumpet 6, 7 / SBIRS HEO-3, 4". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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  62. ↑ "Triple-barrel Delta 4-Heavy launches national security satellite". Spaceflight Now. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  63. ↑ "USA 268". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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  65. 1 2 3 Krebs, Gunter. "NROL launches". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
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  67. ↑ "USA 236". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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  72. ↑ "USA 215". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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  83. ↑ "USA 224". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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  87. 1 2 Krebs, Gunter (4 November 2020). "Quasar 20, 21". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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  92. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Erwin, Sandra (31 October 2023). "Space Force assigns 21 national security missions to ULA and SpaceX". SpaceNews.com. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
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  100. ↑ "NROL-61 satellite launched Thursday spotted in space by sky-watchers". Spaceflight Now. 30 July 2016.
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  106. ↑ "USA 245". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  107. ↑ Graham, William (6 February 2011). "Orbital's Minotaur I launches with NROL-66". nasaspaceflight.com.
  108. ↑ "USA 225". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  109. ↑ "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Second Mission in Just Seven Days". United Launch Alliance. Archived from the original on 7 December 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  110. ↑ "USA 250". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  111. ↑ Graham, William (22 June 2023). "ULA's penultimate Delta IV Heavy launches NROL-68 mission". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  112. ↑ "Contracts for March 9, 2021". U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  113. ↑ "Falcon 9 Block 5 - NROL-69". Next Spaceflight. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  114. ↑ @StephenClark1 (13 March 2021). "In response to my questions to SMC: "Each of the FY21 awarded missions is planned to launch in FY23 from the Eastern Range."" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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  117. ↑ "USA 290". N2YO.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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  124. ↑ Klotz, Irene (30 April 2017). "Secret US Spy Satellite Heading to Low-Earth Orbit, SpaceX Launch License Shows". Space.com. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  125. ↑ Clark, Stephen (24 May 2017). "Observers spot top secret satellite launched by SpaceX earlier this month". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
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  127. ↑ USAF. "EELV PHASE 1A NROL-79 Request For Proposal".
  128. ↑ "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NROL-79 Payload for the National Reconnaissance Office". ULA.
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  132. 1 2 Gruss, Mike (8 August 2016). "No complaint from SpaceX as Air Force skips competition for pair of NRO missions". SpaceNews. Retrieved 10 August 2016. In its announcement, the Defense Department said it plans to award a formal contract for the first mission, known as NROL-82, later this year for a 2020 launch. It also plans to award a contract for the second mission, known as NROL-91, in late 2017 with a tentative launch date of 2023.
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  134. ↑ "USA 314". N2YO.com. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
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  136. ↑ Graham, William (17 April 2022). "Falcon 9 launches NROL-85 mission for National Reconnaissance Office". NASASpaceFlight . Retrieved 17 April 2022.
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  138. 1 2 Ray, Justin (30 June 2017). "Air Force selects Atlas 5 to launch multipurpose satellite to high orbit". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
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  140. ↑ Graham, William (24 September 2022). "Last West Coast Delta IV Heavy launches with NROL-91". NASASpaceFlight . Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  141. ↑ "Launch Schedule". Spaceflight Now. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  142. ↑ Molczan, Ted (18 December 2020). "USA 310: ISON post-manoeuvre elements" . Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  143. ↑ Atkinson, Ian (10 September 2023). "ULA conducts NROL-107 launch, last Atlas NRO mission". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  144. ↑ Erwin, Sandra. "Air Force awards US$739 million in launch contracts to ULA and SpaceX". Space News. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  145. ↑ Clark, Stephen (26 October 2020). "NRO reveals plans for previously-undisclosed SpaceX launch this month". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
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  147. ↑ Krebs, Gunter (21 December 2020). "USA 312, 313 (NROL 108)" . Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  148. ↑ "Exclusive: Musk's SpaceX is building spy satellite network for US intelligence agency, sources say". Reuters. 16 March 2023.
  149. ↑ "Northrop Grumman Successfully Launches Minotaur I Rocket for the National Reconnaissance Office". Northrop Grumman . 15 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  150. ↑ "Rocket Lab Successfully Launches Fifth National Security Mission for NRO". Rocket Lab (Press release). 21 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  151. ↑ Clark, Stephen (21 March 2019). "Two Minotaur launches planned this year from Virginia". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
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  154. ↑ "NROL-129 Launch Press Kit" (PDF). Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  155. ↑ Erwin, Sandra (20 January 2020). "Rocket Lab to launch small satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office". Space News. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  156. ↑ "Birds of a Feather". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  157. ↑ "NROL-151 Mission Deep Dive" (PDF). National Reconnaissance Office. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  158. ↑ https://space.skyrocket.de/index.html - 1 February 2020.
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  165. ↑ Navin, Joseph (4 August 2022). "Rocket Lab's Electron launches NROL-199". NASASpaceFlight . Retrieved 4 August 2022.
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