Author Topic: NROL codenames  (Read 149152 times)

Offline a_langwich

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #80 on: 04/27/2013 11:38 am »
I think the US financial year starts on 1 October.

I also managed to find the table in its original context:
http://icubesat.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/icubesat-org-2012-c-2-1_presentation_szatkowski.pdf


Very interesting.  So if "ridesharing" is worked out with the primary customer, the secondary customer would pay the primary customer some agreed-upon portion of the launch cost?  And they would have to agree upon the hardware, and coordinate CGs and EMC and so on, amongst themselves (ie not coordinated by ULA at all)?

I would think ridesharing with NRO would be a tough proposition, but maybe that aft adapter would help.

Does "Performance Limited" mean "I put this mission on the slide but there's no way you're going to get on it"?  Sounds like either the satellite is overweight, or the US tank will get filled to as much weight as is available.

Is it ever possible to bump from an Atlas 401 to a 411 or 421 after the purchase, or is that set in stone years in advance?  It seems like such an innocent change.  :)

Are GeoEye and WorldView satellites both still on the manifest, or does this predate the merger?  Does the >4000 margin on a 401 mean these satellites are Delta II sized?

And (struggling to come back on topic...) are names like "Improved Trumpet" a description of an NRO satellite bus (like Boeing 601 or 702), or a specific spacecraft/mission (like TDRS)? 

Is the NRO salivating at the possibility of a Falcon Heavy-sized launch opportunity, or have they sworn off such largesse?

Offline Jim

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #81 on: 04/27/2013 12:35 pm »

1. Very interesting.  So if "ridesharing" is worked out with the primary customer, the secondary customer would pay the primary customer some agreed-upon portion of the launch cost?  And they would have to agree upon the hardware, and coordinate CGs and EMC and so on, amongst themselves (ie not coordinated by ULA at all)?

I would think ridesharing with NRO would be a tough proposition, but maybe that aft adapter would help.

2.  Does "Performance Limited" mean "I put this mission on the slide but there's no way you're going to get on it"?  Sounds like either the satellite is overweight, or the US tank will get filled to as much weight as is available.

3.  Is it ever possible to bump from an Atlas 401 to a 411 or 421 after the purchase, or is that set in stone years in advance?  It seems like such an innocent change.  :)

4.  Are GeoEye and WorldView satellites both still on the manifest, or does this predate the merger?  Does the >4000 margin on a 401 mean these satellites are Delta II sized?

5.  And (struggling to come back on topic...) are names like "Improved Trumpet" a description of an NRO satellite bus (like Boeing 601 or 702), or a specific spacecraft/mission (like TDRS)? 

6.  Is the NRO salivating at the possibility of a Falcon Heavy-sized launch opportunity, or have they sworn off such largesse?

1.  Not always.  They usually pay for integration costs. ULA is intimately involved.

2.  It means the primary payload uses all the capability of the LV.   Upperstages are always fully loaded.  There isn't such thing as a partial propellant load.

3.  Yes, but no one wants to pay for it.

4.  That presentation is a year old

5.  Mission name

6. not really

Offline Targeteer

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #82 on: 04/27/2013 06:29 pm »
2.  It means the primary payload uses all the capability of the LV.   Upperstages are always fully loaded.  There isn't such thing as a partial propellant load.

Didn't one of the Proton launches fail because the upperstage was overfilled by 1.5 tons--indicating a partial load was intended but not implemented?  It doesn't seem possible to fill a tank beyond it's structural/volumetric limit-without ballooning it  ;)
« Last Edit: 04/27/2013 06:30 pm by Targeteer »
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline Targeteer

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #83 on: 04/27/2013 06:40 pm »
I think the US financial year starts on 1 October.



It does for the federal government.
Best quote heard during an inspection, "I was unaware that I was the only one who was aware."

Offline William Graham

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #84 on: 04/27/2013 08:35 pm »
2.  It means the primary payload uses all the capability of the LV.   Upperstages are always fully loaded.  There isn't such thing as a partial propellant load.

Didn't one of the Proton launches fail because the upperstage was overfilled by 1.5 tons--indicating a partial load was intended but not implemented?  It doesn't seem possible to fill a tank beyond it's structural/volumetric limit-without ballooning it  ;)

I think Jim was referring to Centaur/US rockets specifically. Indeed there was a Proton launch which failed due to the upper stage being overfuelled - as I recall in that case it was being launched part-empty so that the rocket would be orbital by stage 3 sep; however as it was too heavy to achieve this parking orbit it reentered before stage 4 ignition.

Not sure, but I think underfuelling the upper stage so the third stage can make orbit was standard practise on Proton/Blok-D(M) launches.
« Last Edit: 04/27/2013 08:38 pm by William Graham »

Offline William Graham

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #85 on: 07/31/2013 04:07 pm »
This had become a little out of date:

NROL-1 "Nemesis"      - USA-179 - SDS      - 31.08.2004 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-2                - USA-129 - KH-11    - 20.12.1996 - Titan IV(404)A   - VAFB
NROL-3 (?)            - USA-133 - Lacrosse - 24.10.1997 - Titan IV(403)A   - VAFB
NROL-4                - USA-136 - Trumpet  - 08.11.1997 - Titan IV(401)A   - CCAFS
NROL-5 "Capricorn"    - USA-137 - SDS      - 29.01.1998 - Atlas IIA        - CCAFS
NROL-6                - USA-139 - Mentor   - 09.05.1998 - Titan IV(401)B   - CCAFS
NROL-7                -         - Mercury  - 12.08.1998 - Titan IV(401)A   - CCAFS
NROL-8 (?)            -         - STEX     - 03.10.1998 - Taurus 1110      - VAFB
NROL-9                - USA-144 - Misty    - 22.05.1999 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-10 "Ursa Major"* - USA-155 - SDS      - 06.12.2000 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-11               - USA-152 - Onyx     - 17.08.2000 - Titan IV(403)B   - VAFB
NROL-12 "Aquila"      - USA-162 - SDS      - 10.10.2001 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-13 "Gemini"      - USA-160 - NOSS     - 08.09.2001 - Atlas IIAS       - VAFB
NROL-14               - USA-161 - KH-11    - 05.10.2001 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-15               - USA-237 - Mentor   - 29.06.2012 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-16               - USA-182 - Onyx     - 30.04.2005 - Titan IV(403)B   - CCAFS
NROL-17               - USA-158 - GeoLITE  - 18.05.2001 - Delta II 7925    - CCAFS
NROL-18 "Libra"       - USA-173 - NOSS     - 02.12.2003 - Atlas IIAS       - VAFB
NROL-19               - USA-171 - Mentor   - 09.09.2003 - Titan IV(401)B   - CCAFS
NROL-20               - USA-186 - KH-11    - 19.10.2005 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-21               - USA-193 - Tech     - 14.12.2006 - Delta II 7920    - VAFB
NROL-22               - USA-184 - Trumpet  - 28.06.2006 - Delta IV-M+(4,2) - VAFB
NROL-23 "Canis Minor" - USA-181 - NOSS     - 03.02.2005 - Atlas IIIB       - CCAFS
NROL-24 "Scorpius"    - USA-198 - SDS      - 10.12.2007 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-25 "Altair"**    - USA-234 - FIA-R    - 03.04.2012 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB
NROL-26               - USA-202 - Mentor   - 18.01.2009 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-27 "Gryphon"     - USA-227 - SDS      - 11.03.2011 - Delta IV-M+(4,2) - CCAFS
NROL-28               - USA-200 - Trumpet  - 13.03.2008 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-29               -         - FIA-O?   - cancelled? - Atlas V 521      - VAFB

NROL-30 "Pyxis"       - USA-194 - NOSS     - 15.06.2007 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-31               - Unknown

NROL-32               - USA-223 - Mentor   - 21.11.2010 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-33               -         - SDS?     -    2014/15 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS

NROL-34 "Odin"        - USA-229 - NOSS     - 15.04.2011 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-35               -         -          - Unknown    - Atlas V 531      - VAFB

NROL-36               - USA-238 - NOSS??   - 13.09.2012 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-37               -         - Mentor?  -       2016 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS?

NROL-38 "Drake"       - USA-236 - SDS?     - 20.06.2012 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-39               -         - FIA-R?   -    2013/14 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-40               - Unknown

NROL-41               - USA-215 - FIA-R    - 21.09.2010 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-42               -         - NGEO?    -       2017 - Atlas V 541      - VAFB
NROL-43               -         -          -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-44               - Unknown
NROL-45               -         - FIA-R?   - Unknown    - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-46               -         -          -            -                  - CCAFS
NROL-47               -         -          -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-48               - Unknown

NROL-49               - USA-224 - KH-11    - 20.01.2011 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-50               - Unknown
NROL-51               - Unknown
NROL-52               - Unknown
NROL-53               - Unknown
NROL-54               - Unknown
NROL-55               -         - NOSS??   -    2014/15 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-56               - Unknown
NROL-57               - Unknown
NROL-58               - Unknown
NROL-59               -         -          -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-60               - Unknown
NROL-61               -         - SDS???   -       2017 - Atlas V 411      - CCAFS
NROL-62               - Unknown
NROL-63               - Unknown
NROL-64               - Unknown
NROL-65               -         - KH-11    -       2013 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB

NROL-66               - USA-225 - RPP      - 06.02.2011 - Minotaur I       - VAFB
NROL-67               -         - NGEO??   -    2014/15 - Atlas V 541      - VAFB??
NROL-68               - Unknown
NROL-69               - Unknown
NROL-70               - Unknown
NROL-71               - Unknown
NROL-72               - Unknown
NROL-73               - Unknown
NROL-74               - Unknown
NROL-75               - Unknown
NROL-76               - Unknown
NROL-77               - Unknown
NROL-78               - Unknown
NROL-79               -         - NOSS?     -       2017 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB



* - Officially "Ursa Major", however "Great Bear" was used on the mission patch, which was designed by a 13-year-old
** - A mission patch on sale c.2007 featured the name "Altair", however a completely different patch, without this name, was issued after the mission's lengthy delay. It is possible that a) The 2007 patch was not related to the mission, and the seller was in error, b) The patch was redesigned, or c) the payload was changed (the Altair patch looked like a typical NOSS/SDS patch)
« Last Edit: 08/05/2013 08:46 am by William Graham »

Offline William Graham

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #86 on: 08/28/2013 11:42 pm »

NROL-1 "Nemesis"      - USA-179 - SDS      - 31.08.2004 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-2                - USA-129 - KH-11    - 20.12.1996 - Titan IV(404)A   - VAFB
NROL-3 (?)            - USA-133 - Lacrosse - 24.10.1997 - Titan IV(403)A   - VAFB
NROL-4                - USA-136 - Trumpet  - 08.11.1997 - Titan IV(401)A   - CCAFS
NROL-5 "Capricorn"    - USA-137 - SDS      - 29.01.1998 - Atlas IIA        - CCAFS
NROL-6                - USA-139 - Mentor   - 09.05.1998 - Titan IV(401)B   - CCAFS
NROL-7                -         - Mercury  - 12.08.1998 - Titan IV(401)A   - CCAFS
NROL-8 (?)            -         - STEX     - 03.10.1998 - Taurus 1110      - VAFB
NROL-9                - USA-144 - Misty    - 22.05.1999 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-10 "Ursa Major"* - USA-155 - SDS      - 06.12.2000 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-11               - USA-152 - Onyx     - 17.08.2000 - Titan IV(403)B   - VAFB
NROL-12 "Aquila"      - USA-162 - SDS      - 10.10.2001 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-13 "Gemini"      - USA-160 - NOSS     - 08.09.2001 - Atlas IIAS       - VAFB
NROL-14               - USA-161 - KH-11    - 05.10.2001 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-15               - USA-237 - Mentor   - 29.06.2012 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-16               - USA-182 - Onyx     - 30.04.2005 - Titan IV(403)B   - CCAFS
NROL-17               - USA-158 - GeoLITE  - 18.05.2001 - Delta II 7925    - CCAFS
NROL-18 "Libra"       - USA-173 - NOSS     - 02.12.2003 - Atlas IIAS       - VAFB
NROL-19               - USA-171 - Mentor   - 09.09.2003 - Titan IV(401)B   - CCAFS
NROL-20               - USA-186 - KH-11    - 19.10.2005 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-21               - USA-193 - Tech     - 14.12.2006 - Delta II 7920    - VAFB
NROL-22               - USA-184 - Trumpet  - 28.06.2006 - Delta IV-M+(4,2) - VAFB
NROL-23 "Canis Minor" - USA-181 - NOSS     - 03.02.2005 - Atlas IIIB       - CCAFS
NROL-24 "Scorpius"    - USA-198 - SDS      - 10.12.2007 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-25 "Altair"**    - USA-234 - FIA-R    - 03.04.2012 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB
NROL-26               - USA-202 - Mentor   - 18.01.2009 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-27 "Gryphon"     - USA-227 - SDS      - 11.03.2011 - Delta IV-M+(4,2) - CCAFS
NROL-28               - USA-200 - Trumpet  - 13.03.2008 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-29               -         - FIA-O?   - cancelled? - Atlas V 521      - VAFB

NROL-30 "Pyxis"       - USA-194 - NOSS     - 15.06.2007 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-31               - Unknown

NROL-32               - USA-223 - Mentor   - 21.11.2010 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-33               -         - SDS?     -    2014/15 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS

NROL-34 "Odin"        - USA-229 - NOSS     - 15.04.2011 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-35               -         -          - Unknown    - Atlas V 531      - VAFB

NROL-36               - USA-238 - NOSS     - 13.09.2012 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-37               -         - Mentor?  -       2016 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS?

NROL-38 "Drake"       - USA-236 - SDS?     - 20.06.2012 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-39               -         - FIA-R?   -       2013 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-40               - Unknown

NROL-41               - USA-215 - FIA-R    - 21.09.2010 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-42               -         - NGEO?    -       2017 - Atlas V 541      - VAFB
NROL-43               -         -          -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-44               - Unknown
NROL-45               -         - FIA-R?   - Unknown    - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-46               -         -          -            -                  - CCAFS
NROL-47               -         -          -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-48               - Unknown

NROL-49               - USA-224 - KH-11    - 20.01.2011 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-50               - Unknown
NROL-51               - Unknown
NROL-52               - Unknown
NROL-53               - Unknown
NROL-54               - Unknown
NROL-55               -         - NOSS??   -    2014/15 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-56               - Unknown
NROL-57               - Unknown
NROL-58               - Unknown
NROL-59               -         -          -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-60               - Unknown
NROL-61               -         - SDS???   -       2017 - Atlas V 411      - CCAFS
NROL-62               - Unknown
NROL-63               - Unknown
NROL-64               - Unknown

NROL-65 "Buttercup"?? - USA-245 - KH-11    - 28.08.2013 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-66               - USA-225 - RPP      - 06.02.2011 - Minotaur I       - VAFB
NROL-67               -         - NGEO??   -    2014/15 - Atlas V 541      - VAFB??
NROL-68               - Unknown
NROL-69               - Unknown
NROL-70               - Unknown
NROL-71               - Unknown
NROL-72               - Unknown
NROL-73               - Unknown
NROL-74               - Unknown
NROL-75               - Unknown
NROL-76               - Unknown
NROL-77               - Unknown
NROL-78               - Unknown
NROL-79               -         - NOSS?     -       2017 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB



* - Officially "Ursa Major", however "Great Bear" was used on the mission patch, which was designed by a 13-year-old
** - A mission patch on sale c.2007 featured the name "Altair", however a completely different patch, without this name, was issued after the mission's lengthy delay. It is possible that a) The 2007 patch was not related to the mission, and the seller was in error, b) The patch was redesigned, or c) the payload was changed (the Altair patch looked like a typical NOSS/SDS patch)
« Last Edit: 08/28/2013 11:43 pm by William Graham »

Offline William Graham

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #87 on: 10/02/2013 11:28 pm »
I was looking through launch contract solicitations to see if I could find anything I'd missed, and came across this:
https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=d29c7c76e62baf9a5cdaab430c933f9a&_cview=0

Seems the contracts for NROL-25, L-39, L-41 and L-45 were all issued together for launch between FY04 and FY07. Interesting to note since L-25 and L-41 turned out to be the same type of satellite - and it was already a good bet that L-39 and L-45 were the same as well from the configuration of their rockets.


If TOPAZ is, as we suspect, a five-satellite programme, this begs the question why have only four launches been contracted?

As I see it there are three possibilities:
1) Our identification of TOPAZ is wrong. Unlikely - The document which named TOPAZ and made reference to five satellites clearly stated that it was a LEO radar imaging satellite, and the older-generation satellites were referred to by a different name, ONYX, earlier in the document.

2) NROL-21 was TOPAZ 1. It is generally assumed (and may even have been acknowledged) that L-21 was a prototype radar bird. TOPAZ 2-5 are the larger operational satellites. The problem with this is that the document mentioned "TOPAZ 1-5" as being funded, and NROL-21 wouldn't still be funded since it failed in 2006. Not impossible though, and a four-satellite TOPAZ constellation would support this theory.

3) TOPAZ-5 wasn't part of the original contract, either because it was added later or simply too far away to contract for. The former is more likely - the programme is clearly behind schedule: NROL-45 was supposed to have launched in FY07. The fifth satellite could have been added to make up for ageing legacy satellites, or maybe similar delays with the follow-on satellites.

Any thoughts?
« Last Edit: 10/03/2013 07:52 am by William Graham »

Offline kevin-rf

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #88 on: 10/03/2013 12:36 am »
I was gonna ask if you included USA-193, but that was NROL-21... I wonder if you are missing 2 and not 1 bird that has not flown yet. Maybe they have not yet been assigned launch contracts, so nothing has made it into the public yet.
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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #89 on: 11/24/2013 04:15 pm »
It seems that the identification of NROL-67 may not be correct since the current launch schedule now shows it to be launched from the Cape next March (type of rocket is correct). Next generation ELINT?  ;)
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Offline William Graham

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #90 on: 11/24/2013 09:14 pm »
It seems that the identification of NROL-67 may not be correct since the current launch schedule now shows it to be launched from the Cape next March (type of rocket is correct). Next generation ELINT?  ;)

L-67 is something of a mystery. It was originally listed as going from Canaveral, then seemed to move to VAFB and back to CCAFS. It could be that it actually changed launch site, or that ULA listed the wrong site in the presentation which listed it as being a west coast mission. The ULA powerpoint also stated it was going to LEO.

Apart from a Misty follow-up (which I would expect to require the servces of a Delta IV Heavy), or an old RADINT satellite (I seem to remember a recent discussion concluding that an Atlas V could probably carry one from a mass and volume standpoint, but with two next-generation satellites operational and a third launching in the next fortnight, I fail to see the point), the only things which would fly to LEO from Canaveral would be Intruder SIGINT birds. I strongly doubt that L-67 would be Intruder - unless several pairs of satellites were being launched together, the mass gain wouldn't make sense.

So if we ignore the LEO line, it leaves several possiblities. Orion could be a good bet, although I have L-37 as a strong candidate for a current-generation Orion so I'm not sure if they're up for replacement yet. That said L-37's launch site hasn't been confirmed yet and much of my assessment of it was based on the assumption there were no more KH-11s to launch, while the documents leaked in August suggest production is continuing.

HEO SIGINT is also possible - L-67 could be a replacement for the Trumpet series. That would again be quite a significant increase in mass over the current-generation satellites however.

I'm reluctant to rule out a replacement for the Quasar communications satellites - although these typically use smaller rockets commercial comsats are one type of spacecraft which are still increasing in mass rather than decreasing, and it is possible that a fourth-generation SDS could be adding new capabilities in a similar manner.  It is unlikely though.


And now for a completly wild guess. Most of the names listed in the leaked NRO documents have been associated with real satellites. The one exception is NEMESIS 2, which is listed as a HEO/GEO SIGINT satellite heavily funded in FY2011 but with nothing listed afterwards. NEMESIS 2 and NROL-67 (and possibly AFSPC-2 as well) could possibly be the same satellite. What that is is anybody's guess - maybe a Prowler followup? But that is pure speculation.

Offline Jim

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #91 on: 11/24/2013 10:24 pm »
It seems that the identification of NROL-67 may not be correct since the current launch schedule now shows it to be launched from the Cape next March (type of rocket is correct). Next generation ELINT?  ;)

L-67 is something of a mystery. It was originally listed as going from Canaveral, then seemed to move to VAFB and back to CCAFS. It could be that it actually changed launch site, or that ULA listed the wrong site in the presentation which listed it as being a west coast mission. The ULA powerpoint also stated it was going to LEO.

Apart from a Misty follow-up (which I would expect to require the servces of a Delta IV Heavy), or an old RADINT satellite (I seem to remember a recent discussion concluding that an Atlas V could probably carry one from a mass and volume standpoint, but with two next-generation satellites operational and a third launching in the next fortnight, I fail to see the point), the only things which would fly to LEO from Canaveral would be Intruder SIGINT birds. I strongly doubt that L-67 would be Intruder - unless several pairs of satellites were being launched together, the mass gain wouldn't make sense.

So if we ignore the LEO line, it leaves several possiblities. Orion could be a good bet, although I have L-37 as a strong candidate for a current-generation Orion so I'm not sure if they're up for replacement yet. That said L-37's launch site hasn't been confirmed yet and much of my assessment of it was based on the assumption there were no more KH-11s to launch, while the documents leaked in August suggest production is continuing.

HEO SIGINT is also possible - L-67 could be a replacement for the Trumpet series. That would again be quite a significant increase in mass over the current-generation satellites however.

I'm reluctant to rule out a replacement for the Quasar communications satellites - although these typically use smaller rockets commercial comsats are one type of spacecraft which are still increasing in mass rather than decreasing, and it is possible that a fourth-generation SDS could be adding new capabilities in a similar manner.  It is unlikely though.


And now for a completly wild guess. Most of the names listed in the leaked NRO documents have been associated with real satellites. The one exception is NEMESIS 2, which is listed as a HEO/GEO SIGINT satellite heavily funded in FY2011 but with nothing listed afterwards. NEMESIS 2 and NROL-67 (and possibly AFSPC-2 as well) could possibly be the same satellite. What that is is anybody's guess - maybe a Prowler followup? But that is pure speculation.

QUASAR has to be ruled out. Delta IV heavy is around 15klb in GSO.  QUASAR is less than 5klb.

AFSPC are not NRO birds.

TRUMPET is high inclination, this was due east launch

Offline vapour_nudge

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #92 on: 11/25/2013 08:26 am »
Apologies, I don't want to start a new thread for a simple question, does anyone know the tail number of the NROL-67 Atlas launch vehicle?
« Last Edit: 11/25/2013 11:50 am by vapour_nudge »

Offline William Graham

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #93 on: 11/25/2013 08:29 am »
QUASAR has to be ruled out. Delta IV heavy is around 15klb in GSO.  QUASAR is less than 5klb.

Sorry, I meant L-67 not L-37.

Offline William Graham

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NROL codenames
« Reply #94 on: 12/06/2013 12:58 pm »

NROL-1 "Nemesis"      - USA-179 - Quasar    - 31.08.2004 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-2                - USA-129 - KH-11     - 20.12.1996 - Titan IV(404)A   - VAFB
NROL-3 (?)            - USA-133 - Onyx      - 24.10.1997 - Titan IV(403)A   - VAFB
NROL-4                - USA-136 - Trumpet   - 08.11.1997 - Titan IV(401)A   - CCAFS
NROL-5 "Capricorn"    - USA-137 - Quasar    - 29.01.1998 - Atlas IIA        - CCAFS
NROL-6                - USA-139 - Orion     - 09.05.1998 - Titan IV(401)B   - CCAFS
NROL-7                -         - Mercury   - 12.08.1998 - Titan IV(401)A   - CCAFS
NROL-8 (?)            -         - STEX      - 03.10.1998 - Taurus 1110      - VAFB
NROL-9                - USA-144 - Misty     - 22.05.1999 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-10 "Ursa Major"* - USA-155 - Quasar    - 06.12.2000 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-11               - USA-152 - Onyx      - 17.08.2000 - Titan IV(403)B   - VAFB
NROL-12 "Aquila"      - USA-162 - Quasar    - 10.10.2001 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-13 "Gemini"      - USA-160 - Intruder  - 08.09.2001 - Atlas IIAS       - VAFB
NROL-14               - USA-161 - KH-11     - 05.10.2001 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-15               - USA-237 - Orion     - 29.06.2012 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-16               - USA-182 - Onyx      - 30.04.2005 - Titan IV(403)B   - CCAFS
NROL-17               - USA-158 - GeoLITE   - 18.05.2001 - Delta II 7925    - CCAFS
NROL-18 "Libra"       - USA-173 - Intruder  - 02.12.2003 - Atlas IIAS       - VAFB
NROL-19               - USA-171 - Orion     - 09.09.2003 - Titan IV(401)B   - CCAFS
NROL-20               - USA-186 - KH-11     - 19.10.2005 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-21               - USA-193 - Tech      - 14.12.2006 - Delta II 7920    - VAFB
NROL-22               - USA-184 - Trumpet   - 28.06.2006 - Delta IV-M+(4,2) - VAFB
NROL-23 "Canis Minor" - USA-181 - Intruder  - 03.02.2005 - Atlas IIIB       - CCAFS
NROL-24 "Scorpius"    - USA-198 - Quasar    - 10.12.2007 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-25 "Altair"**    - USA-234 - Topaz     - 03.04.2012 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB
NROL-26               - USA-202 - Orion     - 18.01.2009 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-27 "Gryphon"     - USA-227 - Quasar    - 11.03.2011 - Delta IV-M+(4,2) - CCAFS
NROL-28               - USA-200 - Trumpet   - 13.03.2008 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-29               -         - FIA-O?    - cancelled? - Atlas V 521      - VAFB

NROL-30 "Pyxis"       - USA-194 - Intruder  - 15.06.2007 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-31               - Unknown

NROL-32               - USA-223 - Orion     - 21.11.2010 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-33               -         - Quasar?   -    2014/15 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS

NROL-34 "Odin"        - USA-229 - Intruder  - 15.04.2011 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-35               -         -           - Unknown    - Atlas V 531      - VAFB

NROL-36               - USA-238 - Intruder  - 13.09.2012 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-37               -         - Orion??   -       2016 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS?

NROL-38 "Drake"       - USA-236 - Quasar?   - 20.06.2012 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-39               - USA-247 - Topaz     - 06.12.2013 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-40               - Unknown

NROL-41               - USA-215 - Topaz     - 21.09.2010 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-42               -         - NGEO?     -       2017 - Atlas V 541      - VAFB
NROL-43               -         -           -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-44               - Unknown
NROL-45               -         - Topaz     - Unknown    - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-46               -         -           -            -                  - CCAFS
NROL-47               -         -           -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-48               - Unknown

NROL-49               - USA-224 - KH-11     - 20.01.2011 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-50               - Unknown
NROL-51               - Unknown
NROL-52               - Unknown
NROL-53               - Unknown
NROL-54               - Unknown
NROL-55               -         - Intruder? -    2014/15 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-56               - Unknown
NROL-57               - Unknown
NROL-58               - Unknown
NROL-59               -         -           -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-60               - Unknown
NROL-61               -         - Quasar??? -       2017 - Atlas V 411      - CCAFS
NROL-62               - Unknown
NROL-63               - Unknown
NROL-64               - Unknown

NROL-65 "Buttercup"?? - USA-245 - KH-11     - 28.08.2013 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-66               - USA-225 - RPP       - 06.02.2011 - Minotaur I       - VAFB
NROL-67               -         - NGEO??    -    2014/15 - Atlas V 541      - CCAFS
NROL-68               - Unknown
NROL-69               - Unknown
NROL-70               - Unknown
NROL-71               - Unknown
NROL-72               - Unknown
NROL-73               - Unknown
NROL-74               - Unknown
NROL-75               - Unknown
NROL-76               - Unknown
NROL-77               - Unknown
NROL-78               - Unknown
NROL-79               -         - Intruder? -       2017 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB



* - Officially "Ursa Major", however "Great Bear" was used on the mission patch, which was designed by a 13-year-old
** - A mission patch on sale c.2007 featured the name "Altair", however a completely different patch, without this name, was issued after the mission's lengthy delay. It is possible that a) The 2007 patch was not related to the mission, and the seller was in error, b) The patch was redesigned, or c) the payload was changed (the Altair patch looked like a typical NOSS/SDS patch)

6 December 2013 update:
Red: Updates
Blue: Changes to naming scheme

Offline William Graham

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #95 on: 11/24/2016 06:18 pm »
Somebody bumped this thread earlier asking for an update, which was probably overdue.


NROL-1  "Nemesis"      - USA-179 - Quasar 3G   - 31.08.2004 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-2                 - USA-129 - KH-11       - 20.12.1996 - Titan IV(404)A   - VAFB
NROL-3 (?)             - USA-133 - Onyx        - 24.10.1997 - Titan IV(403)A   - VAFB
NROL-4                 - USA-136 - Trumpet 1G  - 08.11.1997 - Titan IV(401)A   - CCAFS
NROL-5  "Capricorn"    - USA-137 - Quasar 2/3G - 29.01.1998 - Atlas IIA        - CCAFS
NROL-6                 - USA-139 - Orion 2G    - 09.05.1998 - Titan IV(401)B   - CCAFS
NROL-7                 -         - Mercury     - 12.08.1998 - Titan IV(401)A   - CCAFS
NROL-8 (?)             -         - STEX        - 03.10.1998 - Taurus 1110      - VAFB
NROL-9                 - USA-144 - Misty       - 22.05.1999 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-10  "Ursa Major"* - USA-155 - Quasar 3G   - 06.12.2000 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-11                - USA-152 - Onyx        - 17.08.2000 - Titan IV(403)B   - VAFB
NROL-12  "Aquila"      - USA-162 - Quasar 3G   - 10.10.2001 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-13  "Gemini"      - USA-160 - Intruder 3G - 08.09.2001 - Atlas IIAS       - VAFB
NROL-14                - USA-161 - KH-11       - 05.10.2001 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-15                - USA-237 - Orion 2/3G  - 29.06.2012 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-16                - USA-182 - Onyx        - 30.04.2005 - Titan IV(403)B   - CCAFS
NROL-17                - USA-158 - GeoLITE     - 18.05.2001 - Delta II 7925    - CCAFS
NROL-18  "Libra"       - USA-173 - Intruder 3G - 02.12.2003 - Atlas IIAS       - VAFB
NROL-19                - USA-171 - Orion 2G    - 09.09.2003 - Titan IV(401)B   - CCAFS
NROL-20                - USA-186 - KH-11       - 19.10.2005 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-21                - USA-193 - Tech**      - 14.12.2006 - Delta II 7920    - VAFB
NROL-22                - USA-184 - Trumpet 2G  - 28.06.2006 - Delta IV-M+(4,2) - VAFB
NROL-23  "Canis Minor" - USA-181 - Intruder 3G - 03.02.2005 - Atlas IIIB       - CCAFS
NROL-24  "Scorpius"    - USA-198 - Quasar 3G   - 10.12.2007 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-25  "Altair"***   - USA-234 - Topaz 1G    - 03.04.2012 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB
NROL-26                - USA-202 - Orion 3G    - 18.01.2009 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-27  "Gryphon"     - USA-227 - Quasar 3G   - 11.03.2011 - Delta IV-M+(4,2) - CCAFS
NROL-28                - USA-200 - Trumpet 2G  - 13.03.2008 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-29                -         - FIA-O?      - cancelled  - Atlas V 521      - VAFB

NROL-30  "Pyxis"       - USA-194 - Intruder 3G - 15.06.2007 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-31                - Unknown

NROL-32                - USA-223 - Orion 2G    - 21.11.2010 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-33                - USA-252 - Quasar 3G   - 22.05.2014 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-34  "Odin"        - USA-229 - Intruder 3G - 15.04.2011 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-35                - USA-259 - Trumpet 3G  - 13.12.2014 - Atlas V 531      - VAFB
NROL-36                - USA-238 - Intruder 3G - 13.09.2012 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-37                - USA-268 - Orion 2/3G  - 11.06.2016 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-38  "Drake"       - USA-236 - Quasar 3G   - 20.06.2012 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-39                - USA-247 - Topaz 1G    - 06.12.2013 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-40                - Unknown

NROL-41                - USA-215 - Topaz 1G    - 21.09.2010 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-42                -         - Trumpet 3G  -       2017 - Atlas V 541      - VAFB
NROL-43                -         -             -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-44                -         - Orion? 2/3G -       2019 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS

NROL-45                - USA-267 - Topaz 1G    - 10.02.2016 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB
NROL-46                -         -             -            -                  - CCAFS
NROL-47                -         - Topaz 1/2G  -       2017 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB
NROL-48                - Unknown

NROL-49                - USA-224 - KH-11       - 20.01.2011 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-50                - Unknown
NROL-51                - Unknown
NROL-52                -         - Quasar 4G   -       2017 - Atlas V 421      - CCAFS
NROL-53                - Unknown
NROL-54                - Unknown

NROL-55                - USA-264 - Intruder 3G - 08.10.2015 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-56                - Unknown
NROL-57                - Unknown
NROL-58                - Unknown
NROL-59                -         -             -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-60                - Unknown

NROL-61  "Spike"       - USA-269 - Quasar 4G   - 28.07.2016 - Atlas V 421      - CCAFS
NROL-62                - Unknown
NROL-63                - Unknown
NROL-64                - Unknown

NROL-65  "Buttercup"?? - USA-245 - KH-11       - 28.08.2013 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-66                - USA-225 - RPP         - 06.02.2011 - Minotaur I       - VAFB
NROL-67                - USA-250 - ??          - 10.04.2014 - Atlas V 541      - CCAFS
NROL-68                -         - Orion 2/3G  -       2021 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-69                - Unknown
NROL-70                -         - Orion 2/3G  -       2022 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-71                -         - KH-11???    -       2018 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-72                - Unknown
NROL-73                - Unknown
NROL-74                - Unknown
NROL-75                - Unknown
NROL-76                -         - Quasar 4G?? -       2017 - Falcon 9 FT      - KSC
NROL-77                - Unknown
NROL-78                - Unknown
NROL-79                -         - Intruder 3G -       2017 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-80                - Unknown
NROL-81                - Unknown
NROL-82                -         - KH-11???    -       2020 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-83                - Unknown
NROL-84                - Unknown
NROL-85                - Unknown
NROL-86                - Unknown
NROL-87                - Unknown
NROL-88                - Unknown
NROL-89                - Unknown
NROL-90                - Unknown
NROL-91                -         - KH-11???    -       2023 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-92                - Unknown
NROL-93                - Unknown
NROL-94                - Unknown
NROL-95                - Unknown
NROL-96                - Unknown
NROL-97                - Unknown
NROL-98                - Unknown
NROL-99                - Unknown
NROL-100               - Unknown
NROL-101               -         -             -       2019 - Atlas V          - CCAFS

NROL-102               - Unknown
NROL-103               - Unknown
NROL-104               - Unknown
NROL-105               - Unknown
NROL-106               - Unknown
NROL-107               - Unknown
NROL-108               - Unknown
NROL-109               - Unknown
NROL-110               - Unknown
NROL-111               -         - Tech Demo?   -       2018?- Minotaur I       - TBD


* - Officially "Ursa Major", however "Great Bear" was used on the mission patch, which was designed by a 13-year-old
** - Possibly a prototype Topaz?
*** - A mission patch on sale c.2007 featured the name "Altair", however a completely different patch, without this name, was issued after the mission's lengthy delay. It is possible that a) The 2007 patch was not related to the mission, and the seller was in error, b) The patch was redesigned, or c) the payload was changed (the Altair patch looked like a typical NOSS/SDS patch)

Red: Updates November 2016
Blue: Adding assumed generations
Green: Updates 9 December 2016
« Last Edit: 12/09/2016 10:24 am by William Graham »

Offline Alter Sachse

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #96 on: 11/29/2016 03:58 am »
Somebody bumped this thread earlier asking for an update, which was probably overdue.


NROL-1  "Nemesis"      - USA-179 - Quasar 3G   - 31.08.2004 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-2                 - USA-129 - KH-11       - 20.12.1996 - Titan IV(404)A   - VAFB
NROL-3 (?)             - USA-133 - Onyx        - 24.10.1997 - Titan IV(403)A   - VAFB
NROL-4                 - USA-136 - Trumpet 1G  - 08.11.1997 - Titan IV(401)A   - CCAFS
NROL-5  "Capricorn"    - USA-137 - Quasar 2/3G - 29.01.1998 - Atlas IIA        - CCAFS
NROL-6                 - USA-139 - Orion 2G    - 09.05.1998 - Titan IV(401)B   - CCAFS
NROL-7                 -         - Mercury     - 12.08.1998 - Titan IV(401)A   - CCAFS
NROL-8 (?)             -         - STEX        - 03.10.1998 - Taurus 1110      - VAFB
NROL-9                 - USA-144 - Misty       - 22.05.1999 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-10  "Ursa Major"* - USA-155 - Quasar 3G   - 06.12.2000 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-11                - USA-152 - Onyx        - 17.08.2000 - Titan IV(403)B   - VAFB
NROL-12  "Aquila"      - USA-162 - Quasar 3G   - 10.10.2001 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-13  "Gemini"      - USA-160 - Intruder 3G - 08.09.2001 - Atlas IIAS       - VAFB
NROL-14                - USA-161 - KH-11       - 05.10.2001 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-15                - USA-237 - Orion 2/3G  - 29.06.2012 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-16                - USA-182 - Onyx        - 30.04.2005 - Titan IV(403)B   - CCAFS
NROL-17                - USA-158 - GeoLITE     - 18.05.2001 - Delta II 7925    - CCAFS
NROL-18  "Libra"       - USA-173 - Intruder 3G - 02.12.2003 - Atlas IIAS       - VAFB
NROL-19                - USA-171 - Orion 2G    - 09.09.2003 - Titan IV(401)B   - CCAFS
NROL-20                - USA-186 - KH-11       - 19.10.2005 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-21                - USA-193 - Tech**      - 14.12.2006 - Delta II 7920    - VAFB
NROL-22                - USA-184 - Trumpet 2G  - 28.06.2006 - Delta IV-M+(4,2) - VAFB
NROL-23  "Canis Minor" - USA-181 - Intruder 3G - 03.02.2005 - Atlas IIIB       - CCAFS
NROL-24  "Scorpius"    - USA-198 - Quasar 3G   - 10.12.2007 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-25  "Altair"***   - USA-234 - Topaz 1G    - 03.04.2012 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB
NROL-26                - USA-202 - Orion 3G    - 18.01.2009 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-27  "Gryphon"     - USA-227 - Quasar 3G   - 11.03.2011 - Delta IV-M+(4,2) - CCAFS
NROL-28                - USA-200 - Trumpet 2G  - 13.03.2008 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-29                -         - FIA-O?      - cancelled  - Atlas V 521      - VAFB

NROL-30  "Pyxis"       - USA-194 - Intruder 3G - 15.06.2007 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-31                - Unknown

NROL-32                - USA-223 - Orion 2G    - 21.11.2010 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-33                - USA-252 - Quasar 3G   - 22.06.2014 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-34  "Odin"        - USA-229 - Intruder 3G - 15.04.2011 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-35                - USA-259 - Trumpet 3G  - 13.12.2014 - Atlas V 531      - VAFB
NROL-36                - USA-238 - Intruder 3G - 13.09.2012 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-37                - USA-268 - Orion 2/3G  - 11.06.2016 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-38  "Drake"       - USA-236 - Quasar 3G   - 20.06.2012 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-39                - USA-247 - Topaz 1G    - 06.12.2013 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-40                - Unknown

NROL-41                - USA-215 - Topaz 1G    - 21.09.2010 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-42                -         - Trumpet 3G  -       2017 - Atlas V 541      - VAFB
NROL-43                -         -             -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-44                -         - Orion? 2/3G -       2019 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS

NROL-45                - USA-267 - Topaz 1G    - 10.02.2016 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB
NROL-46                -         -             -            -                  - CCAFS
NROL-47                -         - Topaz 1/2G  -       2017 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB
NROL-48                - Unknown

NROL-49                - USA-224 - KH-11       - 20.01.2011 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-50                - Unknown
NROL-51                - Unknown
NROL-52                -         - Quasar 4G   -       2017 - Atlas V 421      - CCAFS
NROL-53                - Unknown
NROL-54                - Unknown

NROL-55                - USA-264 - Intruder 3G - 08.10.2015 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-56                - Unknown
NROL-57                - Unknown
NROL-58                - Unknown
NROL-59                -         -             -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-60                - Unknown

NROL-61  "Spike"       - USA-269 - Quasar 4G   - 28.07.2016 - Atlas V 421      - CCAFS
NROL-62                - Unknown
NROL-63                - Unknown
NROL-64                - Unknown

NROL-65  "Buttercup"?? - USA-245 - KH-11       - 28.08.2013 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-66                - USA-225 - RPP         - 06.02.2011 - Minotaur I       - VAFB
NROL-67                - USA-250 - ??          - 10.04.2014 - Atlas V 541      - CCAFS
NROL-68                -         - Orion 2/3G  -       2021 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-69                - Unknown
NROL-70                -         - Orion 2/3G  -       2022 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-71                -         - KH-11???    -       2018 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-72                - Unknown
NROL-73                - Unknown
NROL-74                - Unknown
NROL-75                - Unknown
NROL-76                -         - Quasar 4G?? -       2017 - Falcon 9 FT      - KSC
NROL-77                - Unknown
NROL-78                - Unknown
NROL-79                -         - Intruder 3G -       2017 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-80                - Unknown
NROL-81                - Unknown
NROL-82                -         - KH-11???    -       2020 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-83                - Unknown
NROL-84                - Unknown
NROL-85                - Unknown
NROL-86                - Unknown
NROL-87                - Unknown
NROL-88                - Unknown
NROL-89                - Unknown
NROL-90                - Unknown
NROL-91                -         - KH-11???    -       2023 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-92                - Unknown
NROL-93                - Unknown
NROL-94                - Unknown
NROL-95                - Unknown
NROL-96                - Unknown
NROL-97                - Unknown
NROL-98                - Unknown
NROL-99                - Unknown
NROL-100               - Unknown
NROL-101               -         -             -       2019 - Atlas V          - CCAFS



* - Officially "Ursa Major", however "Great Bear" was used on the mission patch, which was designed by a 13-year-old
** - Possibly a prototype Topaz?
*** - A mission patch on sale c.2007 featured the name "Altair", however a completely different patch, without this name, was issued after the mission's lengthy delay. It is possible that a) The 2007 patch was not related to the mission, and the seller was in error, b) The patch was redesigned, or c) the payload was changed (the Altair patch looked like a typical NOSS/SDS patch)

Red: Updates November 2016
Blue: Adding assumed generations
USA 252 was launched 22.05.2014 !
One day you're a hero  next day you're a clown  there's nothing that is in between
        Jeff Lynne - "21century man"

Offline William Graham

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #97 on: 09/25/2017 11:45 pm »

NROL-1  "Nemesis"      - USA-179 - Quasar 3G   - 2004-08-31 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-2                 - USA-129 - KH-11       - 1996-12-20 - Titan IV(404)A   - VAFB
NROL-3 (?)             - USA-133 - Onyx        - 1997-10-24 - Titan IV(403)A   - VAFB
NROL-4                 - USA-136 - Trumpet 1G  - 1997-11-08 - Titan IV(401)A   - CCAFS
NROL-5  "Capricorn"    - USA-137 - Quasar 2/3G - 1998-01-29 - Atlas IIA        - CCAFS
NROL-6                 - USA-139 - Orion 2G    - 1998-05-09 - Titan IV(401)B   - CCAFS
NROL-7                 -         - Mercury     - 1998-08-12 - Titan IV(401)A   - CCAFS
NROL-8 (?)             -         - STEX        - 1998-10-03 - Taurus 1110      - VAFB
NROL-9                 - USA-144 - Misty       - 1999-05-22 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-10  "Ursa Major"* - USA-155 - Quasar 3G   - 2000-12-06 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-11                - USA-152 - Onyx        - 2000-08-17 - Titan IV(403)B   - VAFB
NROL-12  "Aquila"      - USA-162 - Quasar 3G   - 2001-10-10 - Atlas IIAS       - CCAFS
NROL-13  "Gemini"      - USA-160 - Intruder 3G - 2001-09-08 - Atlas IIAS       - VAFB
NROL-14                - USA-161 - KH-11       - 2001-10-05 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-15                - USA-237 - Orion 2/3G  - 2012-06-29 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-16                - USA-182 - Onyx        - 2005-04-30 - Titan IV(403)B   - CCAFS
NROL-17                - USA-158 - GeoLITE     - 2001-05-18 - Delta II 7925    - CCAFS
NROL-18  "Libra"       - USA-173 - Intruder 3G - 2003-12-02 - Atlas IIAS       - VAFB
NROL-19                - USA-171 - Orion 2G    - 2003-09-09 - Titan IV(401)B   - CCAFS
NROL-20                - USA-186 - KH-11       - 2005-10-19 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-21                - USA-193 - Tech**      - 2006-12-14 - Delta II 7920    - VAFB
NROL-22                - USA-184 - Trumpet 2G  - 2006-06-28 - Delta IV-M+(4,2) - VAFB
NROL-23  "Canis Minor" - USA-181 - Intruder 3G - 2005-02-03 - Atlas IIIB       - CCAFS
NROL-24  "Scorpius"    - USA-198 - Quasar 3G   - 2007-12-10 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-25  "Altair"***   - USA-234 - Topaz 1G    - 2012-04-03 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB
NROL-26                - USA-202 - Orion 3G    - 2009-01-18 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-27  "Gryphon"     - USA-227 - Quasar 3G   - 2011-03-11 - Delta IV-M+(4,2) - CCAFS
NROL-28                - USA-200 - Trumpet 2G  - 2008-03-13 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-29                -         - FIA-O?      - cancelled  - Atlas V 521      - VAFB

NROL-30  "Pyxis"       - USA-194 - Intruder 3G - 2007-06-15 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-31                - Unknown

NROL-32                - USA-223 - Orion 2G    - 2010-11-21 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-33                - USA-252 - Quasar 3G   - 2014-05-22 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-34  "Odin"        - USA-229 - Intruder 3G - 2011-04-15 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-35                - USA-259 - Trumpet 3G  - 2014-12-13 - Atlas V 531      - VAFB
NROL-36                - USA-238 - Intruder 3G - 2012-09-13 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-37                - USA-268 - Orion 2/3G  - 2016-06-11 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-38  "Drake"       - USA-236 - Quasar 3G   - 2012-06-20 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-39                - USA-247 - Topaz 1G    - 2013-12-06 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-40                - Unknown

NROL-41                - USA-215 - Topaz 1G    - 2010-09-21 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-42                - USA-278 - Trumpet 3G  - 2017-09-24 - Atlas V 541      - VAFB
NROL-43                -         -             -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-44                -         - Orion? 2/3G - 2019       - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS

NROL-45                - USA-267 - Topaz 1G    - 2016-02-10 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB
NROL-46                -         -             -            -                  - CCAFS
NROL-47                -         - Topaz 1/2G  - 2017       - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB
NROL-48                - Unknown

NROL-49                - USA-224 - KH-11       - 2011-01-20 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-50                - Unknown
NROL-51                - Unknown
NROL-52                -         - Quasar 4G   - 2017       - Atlas V 421      - CCAFS
NROL-53                - Unknown
NROL-54                - Unknown

NROL-55                - USA-264 - Intruder 3G - 2015-10-08 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-56                - Unknown
NROL-57                - Unknown
NROL-58                - Unknown
NROL-59                -         -             -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-60                - Unknown

NROL-61  "Spike"       - USA-269 - Quasar 4G   - 2016-07-28 - Atlas V 421      - CCAFS
NROL-62                - Unknown
NROL-63                - Unknown
NROL-64                - Unknown

NROL-65  "Buttercup"?? - USA-245 - KH-11       - 2013-08-28 - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-66                - USA-225 - RPP         - 2011-02-06 - Minotaur I       - VAFB
NROL-67                - USA-250 - ??          - 2014-04-10 - Atlas V 541      - CCAFS
NROL-68                -         - Orion 2/3G  - 2021       - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-69                - Unknown
NROL-70                -         - Orion 2/3G  - 2022       - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-71                -         - KH-11???    - 2018       - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-72                - Unknown
NROL-73                - Unknown
NROL-74                - Unknown
NROL-75                - Unknown

NROL-76                - USA-276 - Tech??      - 2017-05-01 - Falcon 9 FT      - KSC
NROL-77                - Unknown
NROL-78                - Unknown

NROL-79                - USA-274 - Intruder 3G - 2017-03-01 - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-80                - Unknown
NROL-81                - Unknown
NROL-82                -         - KH-11???    - 2020       - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-83                - Unknown
NROL-84                - Unknown
NROL-85                - Unknown
NROL-86                - Unknown
NROL-87                - Unknown
NROL-88                - Unknown
NROL-89                - Unknown
NROL-90                - Unknown
NROL-91                -         - KH-11???    - 2023       - Delta IV-H       - VAFB
NROL-92                - Unknown
NROL-93                - Unknown
NROL-94                - Unknown
NROL-95                - Unknown
NROL-96                - Unknown
NROL-97                - Unknown
NROL-98                - Unknown
NROL-99                - Unknown
NROL-100               - Unknown
NROL-101               -         -             - 2020       - Atlas V 551      - CCAFS
NROL-102               - Unknown
NROL-103               - Unknown
NROL-104               - Unknown
NROL-105               - Unknown
NROL-106               - Unknown
NROL-107               - Unknown
NROL-108               - Unknown
NROL-109               - Unknown
NROL-110               - Unknown
NROL-111               -         - Tech Demo?   -       2018 - Minotaur I       - MARS


* - Officially "Ursa Major", however "Great Bear" was used on the mission patch, which was designed by a 13-year-old
** - Possibly a prototype Topaz?
*** - A mission patch on sale c.2007 featured the name "Altair", however a completely different patch, without this name, was issued after the mission's lengthy delay. It is possible that a) The 2007 patch was not related to the mission, and the seller was in error, b) The patch was redesigned, or c) the payload was changed (the Altair patch looked like a typical NOSS/SDS patch)

Red: Updates September 2017

Offline Tibey

Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #98 on: 11/07/2018 10:52 pm »
Is Silent Barker NROL-107?
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Online zubenelgenubi

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #99 on: 07/21/2020 11:16 pm »
Moderator: Moving this thread from the ULA sub-forum to US Other US Launchers sub-forum.
American launch providers other than ULA (Atlas V, Delta IV) are now performing NRO launches.

Member: Updating the previous list of September 2017.

NROL-47                - USA-281         - Topaz 1/2G               - January 12, 2018       - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB

NROL-71                - USA-290         - KH-11                      - January 19, 2019        - Delta IV-H          - VAFB

NROL-151              - USA-294          - ?                             - January 31, 2020        - Electron             - New Zealand

NROL-129              - USA-305/6/7/8 - ?                             - July 15, 2020              - Minotaur IV        - MARS (Wallops)

NROL-101              - USA-310          - Molniya Quasar 4G?  - November 13, 2020    - Atlas V 551         - CCAFS

NROL-44                -                        - Orion? 2/3G             - November 11, 2020    - Delta IV-H          - CCAFS

NROL-108              -                        - ?                             - December 19, 2020     - Falcon 9             - CCAFS

NROL-82                -                        - KH-11?                    - TBD early 2021           - Delta IV-H          - VAFB
« Last Edit: 12/20/2020 07:22 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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