USA-353

Last updated

USA-353
Delta IV NROL-70 Launch (8334017).jpg
Launch of USA-353
Mission typeSIGINT
Operator NRO/CIA
COSPAR ID 2024-067A
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type Orion
Manufacturer Northrop Grumman
Start of mission
Launch date09 April 2024 16:53 UTC
Rocket Delta IV Heavy (D-389)
Launch site Cape Canaveral, SLC-37B
Contractor United Launch Alliance
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric orbit
Regime Geosynchronous orbit
Nrol 70.png
  USA-345 (Orion-11)

USA-353 (also known Orion-12 and NROL-70) is an American SIGINT reconnaissance satellite which is operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched in April 2024, it is the secret Orion satellite. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Overview

The satellite launched on the last Delta IV Heavy launch and was the last Delta rocket launch and ending its many decades of service to US National Security and Various missions. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Orion also known as Mentor is a SIGINT/ELINT satellite build to replace Magnum satellite [12] and the COMINT capability also made Orion a replacement for the Mercury satellite. [13] It is called that the satellite has a reflector of a diameter as big as ~100m [14] [15]

See also

References

  1. "Orion 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  2. "Orion 12 (USA-353) (NROL-70) | Delta IV Heavy | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  3. "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches the Penultimate Delta IV Heavy Rocket". www.ulalaunch.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  4. "Delta IV Heavy NROL-68". www.ulalaunch.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  5. "Orion 12 (USA-353) (NROL-70) | Delta IV Heavy | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  6. "> Launches > launch-nrol-70". www.nro.gov. Archived from the original on 4 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  7. Tingley, Brett (28 March 2024). "Watch United Launch Alliance launch its final Delta Heavy IV rocket today in this free livestream". Space. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  8. Percival, Claire (26 March 2024). "NROL-70 | Delta IV Heavy". Everyday Astronaut. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  9. "NROL-70 – Spaceflight Now" . Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  10. "NROL-70 - AmericaSpace". www.americaspace.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  11. Graham, William (9 April 2024). "Delta IV Heavy launches on final mission". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  12. "Orion 1, 2 (Magnum 1, 2)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  13. "Mercury 14, 15, 16 ('Advanced Vortex 1, 2, 3')". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
  14. "Orion 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  15. "Advanced Orion". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.