Orion (satellite)

Orion , also known as a mentor or Advanced Orion , is a class of spy satellites for communications intelligence of the United States . They are operated by the National Reconnaissance Office and were developed with the help of the CIA . Since 1995, five Cape Canaveral satellites have been launched into orbit on Titan IV or Delta IV rockets. These satellites collect radio signals from geostationary orbit and replace the older network of Magnum satellites . Observers estimate the mass at around 5200 kg. In addition, the satellites have an extremely large reflector dish about 100 m in diameter. NGO L-32 , the fifth satellite in the series, is "(...) the largest satellite in the world" according to NGO director Bruce Carlson . It is believed that this relates to the diameter of the antenna reflector, which could exceed 100m. The mission and capabilities of these satellites are top secret. Earlier satellites with a similar order, the Rhyolite / Aquacade series, were manufactured by TRW . The manufacturer of the Orion satellites is unknown.

units

Surname	COSPAR name SATCAT №	Start date (UTC)	Launcher	Launch site	NRO identifier	Longitude
USA-110	1995-022A 23567	May 14, 1995 1:45:01 PM	Titan IV (401) A.	CCAFS LC-40	N / A	127 ° E
USA-139	1998-029A 25336	May 9, 1998 1:38:01 AM	Titan IV (401) B.	CCAFS LC-40	NROL-6	44 ° E (1998-2009) 14.5 ° W (2009-)
USA-171	2003-041A 27937	September 9, 2003 4:29 a.m.	Titan IV (401) B.	CCAFS LC-40	NROL-19	95.5 ° E
USA-202	2009-001A 33490	January 18, 2009 2:47 am	Delta IV-H	CCAFS LC-37B	NROL-26	44 ° E
USA-223	2010-063A 37232	November 21, 2010 10:58 p.m.	Delta IV-H	CCAFS LC-37B	NROL-32	100.9 ° E

Individual evidence

↑ Les satellites espions de la NSA (French)
↑ Bruce Carlson: National Reconnaissance Office Update . Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition 2010. September 13, 2010. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Information: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved November 25, 2010. @1@ 2

↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e William Graham: Delta IV Heavy launches with NROL-32 . nasaspaceflight.com. November 21, 2010. Retrieved November 22, 2010.

^ Jonathan's space report No. 369 ( Memento of the original from June 19, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (August 22, 1998) @1@ 2

↑ T. Flohrer, R. Choc, and B. Bastida: CLASSIFICATION OF GEOSYNCHRONOUS OBJECTS ISSUE 13 . ESA. February 2011. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2014.

[1] Les satellites espions de la NSA (French)

[afa100913-2] Bruce Carlson: National Reconnaissance Office Update . Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition 2010. September 13, 2010. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010. Information: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved November 25, 2010. @1@ 2

[NASASpaceFlight101119-3] William Graham: Delta IV Heavy launches with NROL-32 . nasaspaceflight.com. November 21, 2010. Retrieved November 22, 2010.

[4] Jonathan's space report No. 369 ( Memento of the original from June 19, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (August 22, 1998) @1@ 2

[GEN-DB-LOG-00074-OPS-GR-5] T. Flohrer, R. Choc, and B. Bastida: CLASSIFICATION OF GEOSYNCHRONOUS OBJECTS ISSUE 13 . ESA. February 2011. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2014.