List of NRO launches

Official mission patch from NRO Launch-39

This is a list of NRO Launch (NROL) designations, i.e. 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 identify many of the payloads.

Launch
designation		 Nickname Satellite
designation		 Date/Time (GMT) Launch site Rocket Orbit Project Function Status Patch Remarks
L-1 Nemesis[1] USA-179[1] August 31, 2004
23:17[2]		 CCAFS SLC-36A[2] Atlas IIAS[2] Molniya Quasar[1] Communications[2] Active
L-2 USA-129 December 20, 1996
18:04		 VAFB SLC-4E Titan IV LEO KH-11 Optical imaging
L-3 USA-133 October 24, 1997
02:32		 VAFB SLC-4E Titan IV LEO Lacrosse ELINT Active
L-4 Oscar USA-136 November 8, 1997
02:05		 CCAFS SLC-41 Titan IV Molniya Trumpet ELINT Active
L-5 Capricorn[1] USA-137[1] January 29, 1998
18:37		 CCAFS SLC-36A Atlas IIA Molniya Quasar[1] Communications Active
L-6 Jack USA-139[3] May 9, 1998
01:38		 CCAFS SLC-40 Titan IV/Centaur GSO Orion ELINT
L-7 Elwood N/A August 12, 1998
11:30		 CCAFS SLC-41 Titan IV/Centaur GSO (planned) Mercury ELINT Failed: 1998-08-12 "On a Mission from DoD" Rocket self-destructed 40 seconds into launch due to guidance problem[4]
L-8 USA-140, USA-141 October 3, 1998
10:04		 VAFB LC-576E Taurus 1110 LEO STEX Technology ATEX experiment jettisoned on 1999-01-16 and catalogued as USA-141
L-9 USA-144[1] May 22, 1999
09:36[5]		 VAFB SLC-4E[5] Titan IVB[5] Misty[1] Optical imaging[1] First Titan IV-B launch from VAFB
L-10 Great Bear[1] USA-155[1] December 6, 2000
02:47[2]		 CCAFS SLC-36A[2] Atlas IIAS[2] GSO[2] Quasar[1] Communications[2] Active
L-11 Onyx/Vega USA-152 August 17, 2000
23:45		 VAFB SLC-4E Titan IVB LEO Lacrosse Radar imaging Active
L-12 Aquila[1] USA-162[1] October 11, 2001
02:32[2]		 CCAFS SLC-36B[2] Atlas IIAS[2] GSO[2] Quasar[1] Communications Active
L-13 Gemini[1] USA-160[1] September 8, 2001
15:25		 VAFB SLC-3E[2] Atlas IIAS[2] LEO[2] Intruder[1] Naval reconnaissance[2] Active Two satellites[2]
L-14 USA-161 October 5, 2001
21:21		 VAFB SLC-4E Titan IVB LEO KH-11 Optical reconnaissance Active
L-15 USA-237 June 29, 2012
13:15[6]		 CCAFS SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy (first RS-68A upgrade) GSO Mentor* ELINT Active * - or follow-on
L-16 Prometheus USA-182[3] April 30, 2005
00:50[7]		 CCAFS SLC-40 Titan IVB LEO Lacrosse Radar imaging Active
L-17 GeoLITE[1] USA-158[1] May 18, 2001
17:45[8]		 CCAFS SLC-17B[8] Delta II 7925-9.5[8] GSO[8] GeoLITE[1] Technology demonstration[8] Active
L-18 Libra[1] USA-173[1] December 2, 2003
10:04[2]		 VAFB SLC-3E[2] Atlas IIAS[2] LEO[2] Intruder[1] Naval reconnaissance[2] Active Two satellites[2]
L-19 Homer[9] USA-171[3] September 9, 2003
04:29[10]		 CCAFS SLC-40 Titan IVB/Centaur GSO Orion ELINT Active
L-20 USA-186[3] October 19, 2005
18:05[11]		 VAFB SLC-4E Titan IVB LEO KH-11 Optical imaging Active Last launch of a Titan rocket.
L-21 USA-193[1] December 14, 2006
21:00[8]		 VAFB SLC-2W[8] Delta II 7920-10[8] LEO[8] Unknown Unknown Failed Failed immediately after launch. Destroyed by ASAT on 2008-02-21.
L-22 USA-184[1] June 28, 2006
03:33		 VAFB SLC-6 Delta IV M+(4,2) Molniya Improved Trumpet[1] ELINT Active
L-23 Canis Minor[1] USA-181[1] February 3, 2005
07:41		 CCAFS SLC-36B Atlas IIIB LEO Intruder[1] Naval reconnaissance Active Two satellites
L-24 Scorpius[1] USA-198[1] December 10, 2007
22:05		 CCAFS SLC-41 Atlas V 401 Molniya Quasar[1] Communications Active
L-25 Altair USA-234 April 3, 2012
23:12[12][13]		 VAFB SLC-6 Delta IV M+(5,2) Retrograde LEO [14] Topaz Radar imaging Active
L-26 USA-202 January 18, 2009
02:47		 CCAFS SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy GSO Orion ELINT Active
L-27 Gryphon[9] USA-227 March 11, 2011
23:38		 CCAFS SLC-37B Delta IV M+(4,2) GSO Quasar Communications Active
L-28 USA-200 March 13, 2008
10:02		 VAFB SLC-3E Atlas V 411 Molniya Improved Trumpet[15] ELINT Active
L-29 N/A VAFB SLC-3E Atlas V 521 [16] Cancelled
L-30 Pyxis[1] USA-194[1] June 15, 2007
15:12		 CCAFS SLC-41 Atlas V 401[1] LEO Intruder[1] Naval reconnaissance Active Two satellites
Premature 2nd stage cutoff during launch. Lifetime reduced by need to correct orbit
L-32[17] USA-223 November 21, 2010
22:58[18]		 CCAFS SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy GSO Orion[19] ELINT Operational
L-33[20] USA-252 May 22, 2014
13:09		 CCAFS SLC-41 Atlas V 401 GSO Quasar Communications Active
L-34 Odin[21] USA-229 April 15, 2011
04:24		 VAFB SLC-3E[18] Atlas V 411[18] LEO Intruder Naval SIGINT Operational[22] Two satellites
L-35 USA-259 December 13, 2014
03:19		 VAFB SLC-3E Atlas V 541 Molniya Trumpet (third generation)[15] ELINT Active First flight of the RL10C-1 rocket engine, used by the Centaur upper stage
L-36[23] USA-238[24] September 13, 2012
21:39[13]		 VAFB SLC-3E Atlas V 401[25] LEO Intruder SIGINT Launched

Two satellites sharing a designation
L-37[26] USA-268 June 11, 2016
17:51		 CCAFS SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy GSO Orion SIGINT[27] Launched

Likely the seventh so called Mentor/Orion satellite for the National Security Agency.[15]
L-38[28] Drake[29] USA-236 June 20, 2012
12:28[13]		 CCAFS SLC-41 Atlas V 401 GSO Quasar Communications Active
L-39[30] USA-247 December 6, 2013
07:14[31]		 VAFB SLC-3E Atlas V 501 LEO Topaz Radar imaging Active
L-41[17] Gladys[9] USA-215[1] September 21, 2010
04:03[18]		 VAFB SLC-3E Atlas V 501 LEO (retrograde)[32] 1058 x 1072 km [33] Topaz Radar imaging Operational
L-42[34] USA-278 September 24, 2017 05:49:47 VAFB SLC-3E Atlas V 541 Molniya Trumpet (third generation)[15] ELINT Launched[35]
L-44[34] TBD 2019 CCAFS SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy GSO Orion[15] SIGINT[27] Awaiting launch
L-45[30] USA-267 February 10, 2016 11:40 VAFB SLC-6 Delta IV M+(5,2) LEO (retrograde)[36] 1084 x 1086 km x 123 deg[37] Topaz Radar imaging Launched
L-47 USA-281 January 12, 2018 22:11 VAFB SLC-6 Delta IV M+(5,2) LEO (retrograde) Topaz[15] Radar imaging Launched
L-49[17] Betty[9] USA-224 January 20, 2011
21:10[38]		 VAFB SLC-6 Delta IV Heavy LEO 239 x 1005 km[39] KH-11[38] Optical imaging Operational
L-52[34] USA-279 October 15, 2017 07:28 CCAFS SLC-41 Atlas V 421 GSO Quasar 21[15] Communications Launched
L-55[34] USA-264 October 8, 2015
12:49		 VAFB SLC-3E Atlas V 401 LEO 1000 x 1200 km x 63.4°[40] Intruder Naval SIGINT ELINT[15] Launched Two classified satellites (NROL-55) and 13 cubesats.
L-61[34] Spike[41] USA-269 July 28, 2016

12:37[42]

 CCAFS SLC-41 Atlas V 421 GSO[43] Quasar 20[43][15] Communications Launched
L-65[44] USA-245 August 28, 2013
18:03		 VAFB SLC-6 Delta IV Heavy LEO KH-11 Optical imaging Launched
L-66[45] USA-225 February 6, 2011
12:26		 VAFB SLC-8 Minotaur I LEO RPP Technology Operational
L-67 [46] USA-250 April 10, 2014
17:45		 CCAFS SLC-41 Atlas V 541 Launched
L-68[27] TBD 2021 CCAFS SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy Awaiting launch
L-70[27] TBD 2022 CCAFS SLC-37B Delta IV Heavy Awaiting launch
L-71[34] TBD 2018 VAFB SLC-6 Delta IV Heavy LEO KH-11[15] Optical imaging Awaiting launch
L-76[47] USA-276 May 1, 2017[48]
11:15		 Kennedy LC-39A Falcon 9 Full Thrust LEO[49][50] Launched
L-79[34][51] USA-274 March 1, 2017
17:50[52]		 VAFB SLC-3E Atlas V 401 LEO Intruder 8[15] Naval reconnaissance Launched Two classified satellites sharing a designation
L-82[27][53] TBD July 2020[54] VAFB SLC-6 Delta IV Heavy Electro-optical surveillance Awaiting launch
L-85[55] TBD 2021 CCAFS or VAFB TBD LEO Intruder Naval reconnaissance Awaiting launch
L-87[55] TBD 2021 VAFB TBD LEO
L-91[53] TBD 2023 VAFB SLC-6 Delta IV Heavy Awaiting launch
L-101[34] TBD August 2020[54] CCAFS SLC-41 Atlas V 551 Awaiting launch
L-107[55] TBD 2022 CCAFS TBD GSO 42464 x 41864km x 0° SILENTBARKER Awaiting launch
L-111[56] TBD 2018 Wallops Flight Facility Minotaur I Technology Awaiting Launch
Launch
Designation		 Launch Name Satellite
Designation		 Launch
Date/Time (GMT)		 Launch Site Rocket Orbit Project Function Status Patch Remarks

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive – US Military Launch Record. None. Retrieved on September 15, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Encyclopedia Astronautica – Atlas IIAS. Astronautix.com. Retrieved on September 15, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 NRO codenames. Forum.nasaspaceflight.com. Retrieved on September 15, 2011.
  4. ↑ National Reconnaissance Office Satellite Destroyed August 19, 1998
  5. 1 2 3 National Reconnaissance Satellite Successfully Launched May 22, 1999 Archived May 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ Space Videos (June 29, 2012). "[Delta] Launch of Delta IV Heavy with NROL-15 Payload" – via YouTube.
  7. ↑ NRO Successfully Launches Last Titan from Cape Canaveral April 29, 2005 Archived May 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Encyclopedia Astronautica – Delta 7000 Archived March 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Re: NROL codenames". nasaspaceflight.com. 2011-01-22.
  10. ↑ NRO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES PAYLOAD FROM TITAN IV September 10, 2003 Archived May 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  11. ↑ NRO Payload Takes Last Ride Aboard Titan IV October 20, 2005 Archived August 26, 2006, at Archive.is
  12. ↑ "Spaceflight Now - Delta Launch Report - Mission Status Center".
  13. 1 2 3 Spaceflight Now: Worldwide launch schedule. Spaceflightnow.com. Retrieved on Feb 3, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Spaceflight Now - Delta Launch Report - Launch warnings show Delta 4 headed for backwards orbit".
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Krebs, Gunter. "NROL launches". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2016-12-08.
  16. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  17. 1 2 3 Spaceflight Now: Worldwide launch schedule. Spaceflightnow.com. Retrieved on September 15, 2011.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Atlas Launch Report | Mission Status Center. Spaceflight Now. Retrieved on September 15, 2011.
  19. ↑ Delta IV Heavy launches with NROL-32. NASASpaceFlight.com (2010-11-21). Retrieved on September 15, 2011.
  20. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  21. ↑ :::: United Launch Alliance, LLC :::: Archived September 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.. Ulalaunch.com. Retrieved on September 15, 2011.
  22. ↑
  23. ↑ "Technical details for satellite USA 238".
  24. ↑ "NASA - NSSDCA - Spacecraft - Details".
  25. ↑ http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Launch.shtml#/30/ Archived September 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  26. ↑ "Triple-barrel Delta 4-Heavy launches national security satellite". Spaceflight Now. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 Ray, Justin (June 7, 2016). "Surveillance satellite launching Thursday atop Delta 4-Heavy rocket". Spaceflight Now.
  28. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 15, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  29. ↑ http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av023/images/NROL38logo.jpg
  30. 1 2 "18 -- Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) - Federal Business Opportunities: Opportunities".
  31. ↑ NRO Press Release 2013-04
  32. ↑ Barhorst, Leo (2010-10-01). "Reason for FIA Radar 1/USA 215 retrograde orbit?". Retrieved 2010-10-02.
  33. ↑ Molczan, Ted (2010-09-22). "NROL 41". Retrieved 2010-10-02.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "2016 manifest preview: United Launch Alliance's busy year ahead". Spaceflight Now. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  35. ↑ NROL-42 launch time:0549 GMT
  36. ↑ "ULA Delta IV launches with NROL-45 | NASASpaceFlight.com". www.nasaspaceflight.com. Retrieved 2016-02-11.
  37. ↑ McDowell, Jonathan (2016-02-10). "Twitter". Retrieved 2016-02-13. TOPAZ 4 (USA 267) has been observed by hobbyist @cgbassa in a 1084 x 1086 km x 123 deg orbit following today's launch from Vandenberg
  38. 1 2 Graham, William (2011-01-20). "Delta IV Heavy launches on debut West Coast launch with NRO L-49". NASA Spaceflight. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  39. ↑ Molczan, Ted (2011-01-22). "RE: NROL-49 search elements".
  40. ↑ Graham, William (2015-10-07). "NROL-55 takes a ride uphill on ULA Atlas V". NASA Spaceflight.
  41. ↑ Ray, Justin (July 28, 2016). "Spy satellite infrastructure supported by successful Atlas 5 rocket launch". Spaceflight Now.
  42. ↑ Graham, William (2016-07-28). "Atlas V successfully launches NROL-61 reconnaissance satellite". NASA Spaceflight. Retrieved 2016-07-28.
  43. 1 2 "NROL-61 satellite launched Thursday spotted in space by sky-watchers". Spaceflight Now. July 30, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  45. ↑ Graham, William (2011-02-06). "Orbital's Minotaur I launches with NROL-66". nasaspaceflight.com.
  46. ↑ "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Second Mission in Just Seven Days". United Launch Alliance. Retrieved 2014-04-11.
  47. ↑ Gruss, Mike. "NRO discloses previously unannounced launch contract for SpaceX". SpaceNews. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  48. ↑ Clark, Stephen (6 April 2017). "Launch schedule". Spaceflight Now. Archived from the original on December 24, 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  49. ↑ Klotz, Irene (30 April 2017). "Secret US Spy Satellite Heading to Low-Earth Orbit, SpaceX Launch License Shows". Space.com. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  50. ↑ Clark, Stephen (May 24, 2017). "Observers spot top secret satellite launched by SpaceX earlier this month". Spacefligh Now. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  51. ↑ USAF. "EELV PHASE 1A NROL-79 Request For Proposal".
  52. ↑ "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NROL-79 Payload for the National Reconnaissance Office".
  53. 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.
  54. 1 2 Ray, Justin (2 April 2017). "United Launch Alliance wins three U.S. government satellite launches". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  55. 1 2 3 Ray, Justin (30 June 2017). "Air Force selects Atlas 5 to launch multipurpose satellite to high orbit". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  56. ↑ Clark, Stephen (12 January 2017). "Minotaur rocket launch for NRO expected at Wallops by end of 2018". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  • [Link dead] The Current NSS Launch Manifest, 2001–2020 (page 83)
  • National Security Space Launch Report (pages 112)

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