Names | NROL-27 NRO Launch 27 |
---|---|
Mission type | Communication |
Operator | NRO |
COSPAR ID | 2011-011A |
SATCAT no. | 37377 |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft type | SDS-3 |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 11 March 2011, 23:38:00 UTC |
Rocket | Delta IV-M+(4,2) (Delta D353) |
Launch site | Cape Canaveral, SLC-37B |
Contractor | United Launch Alliance |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
Regime | Geosynchronous orbit |
Longitude | 30.4° West |
USA-227, known before launch as NRO Launch 27 (NROL-27), is an American communications satellite which was launched in 2011. It is operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) performed the launch of USA-227, using a Delta IV-M+(4,2) launch vehicle flying from Space Launch Complex 37B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS). The launch occurred at 23:38:00 UTC on 11 March 2011. [1] Following liftoff the rocket flew east, placing the satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. By 23:43 UTC, official updates on the status of the launch had been discontinued. [2]
Whilst details of its mission are officially classified, amateur observers have identified USA-227 as being a third-generation Satellite Data System satellite in geosynchronous orbit. [3] The first amateur observation of the satellite was made on 6 April 2011, [4] [5] when the spacecraft was located at a longitude of 30.4° west. [5] SDS satellites are used to relay data from American reconnaissance satellites to ground stations.
The Satellite Data System (SDS) is a system of United States military communications satellites. At least three generations have been used: SDS-1 from 1976 to 1987; SDS-2 from 1989 to 1996; SDS-3 from 1998 to the present. It is believed that these satellites were known by the code name Quasar. The first generation were named simply 'SDS', the second generation were named 'Quasar' and the third generation each carried their own designation names.
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