USA-268

USA-268
Launch of USA-268
Mission typeSignals intelligence
OperatorNational Reconnaissance Office
COSPAR ID2016-036A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.41584
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeAdvanced Orion
Start of mission
Launch dateJune 11, 2016, 17:51 (2016-06-11UTC17:51Z) UTC
RocketDelta IV Heavy
Launch siteCape Canaveral SLC-37B
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeostationary
Semi-major axis42,165 kilometers (26,200 mi)[1]
Perigee altitude35,587 kilometers (22,113 mi)[1]
Apogee altitude36,002 kilometers (22,371 mi)[1]
Inclination6.3 degrees[1]
Period1436.1 minutes[1]

USA-268, also known as NROL-37,[2] is an American signals intelligence satellite. Though officially classified, it is presumed to be an Advanced Orion satellite, making it one of the largest and most expensive satellites ever built.[3]

Launch

USA-268 was launched at 17:51 UTC on June 11, 2016[4] from Space Launch Complex 37B, on its second attempt.[2] It was the ninth flight of a Delta IV Heavy,[2] and the fifth carrying an Advanced Orion.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "USA 268". N2YO.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Dean, James (June 12, 2016). "No secret: Delta IV lofts spy satellite". Florida Today. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Blau, Patrick (2016). "Identifying the classified NROL-37 Satellite". Spaceflight101. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  4. ^ Speck, Emilee (June 12, 2016). "Delta IV rocket launches from Cape carrying U.S. spy satellite". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NROL-37 Payload for the National Reconnaissance Office" (Press release). United Launch Alliance. June 11, 2016. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2020 – via PR Newswire.


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