Author Topic: NROL codenames  (Read 149113 times)

Offline Bean Kenobi

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NROL codenames
« on: 12/11/2007 09:56 am »
Hi,

Usually, NRO gives codenames to missions flying on Atlas. Through internet I found this :

SDS satellites :
- 1/29/98 : CAPRICORN
- 12/6/00 : GREAT BEAR
- 10/11/01 : AQUILA
- 8/31/04 : NEMESIS (NROL 1)
- 12/10/07 : SCORPIUS (NROL 24)

NOSS satellites :
- 9/08/01 : GEMINI (NROL 13)
- 12/2/03 : LIBRA (NROL 18)


But, do anyone know the codenames of these 2 NOSS missions ?

- 2/03/05 : ????? (NROL 23)
- 6/15/07 : ????? (NROL 30)

And do you know other missions I could have missed ?

Thanks a lot.

Offline Jim

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #1 on: 12/11/2007 10:39 am »
Those are "codenames"  Just names of launches.

Offline brihath

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #2 on: 12/11/2007 12:42 pm »
Yeah, I imagine the best way to determine the specifics on an NRO satellite would be launch mass compared to prior launches and characterization of the orbit...Molniya type, geosynchronous, sun-synchronous, etc.

Might be a little harder with something entirely new, but certain missions have certain optimal orbits.

Offline WHAP

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #3 on: 12/11/2007 03:10 pm »
NROL-23: Canis Minor
NROL-30: Pyxis
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Offline William Graham

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #4 on: 12/11/2007 05:45 pm »
You've missed out L-22 (SDS), which I believe was "Prowler".

EDIT: Sorry, that was a Delta IV launch. I think that the designation still applies though.

Offline Bean Kenobi

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RE: NROL codenames
« Reply #5 on: 12/11/2007 05:52 pm »
Thanks WHAP :)

GW_Simulations : NROL 22 was launched by Delta IV, and as far as i know Prowler is not a codename for a SDS satellite but the program that will follow Trumpet. I suppose the first one will be NROL 29...

Offline SFox

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RE: NROL codenames
« Reply #6 on: 01/18/2008 04:46 pm »
Who can add the list?
(replace ???)

NROL-1  USA-179 31.08.2004 Atlas-2AS     AC-167
NROL-2 ???
NROL-3 ???
NROL-4 ???
NROL-5 ???
NROL-6 ???
NROL-7 ???
NROL-8 ???
NROL-9 ???
NROL-10 USA-155 06.12.2000 Titan 4B B-30
NROL-11 ???
NROL-12 ???
NROL-13 USA-160 08.09.2001 Atlas 2AS AC-160
NROL-14 ???
NROL-15         planned
NROL-16 USA-182 30.04.2005 Titan 4B B-30
NROL-17 GeoLITE 18.05.2001 Delta 2
NROL-18 USA-173 02.12.2003 Atlas 2AS AC-164
NROL-19 USA-171 09.09.2003 Titan 4B B-36
NROL-20 USA-186 19.10.2005 Titan 4B B-26
NROL-21 USA-193 14.12.2006 Delta 2
NROL-22 USA-184 28.06.2006 Delta 4M+ (4.2)
NROL-23 USA-181 03.02.2005 Atlas 3B AC-206
NROL-24 USA-198 10.12.2007 Atlas V401
NROL-25         planned
NROL-26         planned
NROL-27         planned
NROL-28         planned
NROL-29         planned
NROL-30 USA-194 15.06.2007 Atlas V401
“The NRO was once an intelligence organization at the beginning of the space age; now, it is a space agency in the information age...” ©Robert Kohler

Offline Nick L.

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RE: NROL codenames
« Reply #7 on: 01/19/2008 06:44 am »
NROL-25, planned late August 2008, Delta IV Medium from VAFB.
NROL-26, planned NET April 2008, Delta IV Heavy from CCAFS.
NROL-28, planned February 26 2008, Atlas V 411 from CCAFS.
"Now you may leave here for four days in space, but when you return it's the same old place..."

Offline William Graham

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #8 on: 01/19/2008 09:49 am »
I think L-26 is scheduled for 15 May 2008 (range conflict permitting), I believe L-29 may have been cancelled. The existance of L-15 is also debatable.

Further ahead, I think that L-32 is scheduled for Q3 2009, L-34 for October 2009 and L-41 for June 2010.

Offline Antares

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #9 on: 01/19/2008 02:01 pm »
L-28 is VAFB.
If I like something on NSF, it's probably because I know it to be accurate.  Every once in a while, it's just something I agree with.  Facts generally receive the former.

Offline WHAP

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #10 on: 01/19/2008 08:33 pm »
Quote
GW_Simulations - 19/1/2008  3:49 AM

Further ahead, I think that L-32 is scheduled for Q3 2009, L-34 for October 2009 and L-41 for June 2010.

L-39 and L-45 can also be added to the list, from VAFB.  Launch dates for those vehicles are far enough out that they're not worth mention.
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Offline SFox

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #11 on: 01/20/2008 12:57 am »
The good illustration about the future NRO mission can be seen on page 83 of
http: // www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2006/RAND_ MG503.pdf

But anybody nothing knows about past mission: NROL-2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,14
“The NRO was once an intelligence organization at the beginning of the space age; now, it is a space agency in the information age...” ©Robert Kohler

Offline Jim

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #12 on: 01/20/2008 04:32 am »
Quote
SFox - 19/1/2008  8:57 PM

But anybody nothing knows about past mission: NROL-2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,14

Why do you say that?  Just because someone doesn't post doesn't mean they don't know

Offline faustod

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RE: NROL codenames
« Reply #13 on: 01/20/2008 08:59 am »
NROL-10 USA-155 on 06.12.2000 was launched by Atlas 2AS AC-157 not Titan 4B-30.
This last is already listed for NROL-16 on 30.04.2005

Offline WHAP

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #14 on: 01/20/2008 01:56 pm »
NROL-5 (Capricorn) 29.01.1998 Atlas 2A AC-109
NROL-12 (Aquila) 10.10.2001 Atlas IIAS AC-162
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Offline SFox

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RE: NROL codenames
« Reply #15 on: 01/20/2008 07:03 pm »
Quote
faustod - 20/1/2008  12:59 PM

NROL-10 USA-155 on 06.12.2000 was launched by Atlas 2AS AC-157 not Titan 4B-30.
This last is already listed for NROL-16 on 30.04.2005
oops... It's my mistake, you are right.
“The NRO was once an intelligence organization at the beginning of the space age; now, it is a space agency in the information age...” ©Robert Kohler

Offline SFox

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #16 on: 01/20/2008 07:05 pm »
Quote
WHAP - 20/1/2008  5:56 PM

NROL-5 (Capricorn) 29.01.1998 Atlas 2A AC-109
NROL-12 (Aquila) 10.10.2001 Atlas IIAS AC-162
It is interesting, thanks WHAP!
“The NRO was once an intelligence organization at the beginning of the space age; now, it is a space agency in the information age...” ©Robert Kohler

Offline Bean Kenobi

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RE: NROL codenames
« Reply #17 on: 03/13/2008 11:13 am »
Hello,

Does anyone know the NROL 28 launch name ? Thanks.


EDIT : Corrected Jim, thanks :)

Offline Jim

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #18 on: 03/13/2008 11:26 am »
There is a difference between launch/mission names and code names.  These are mission/launch names

Offline WHAP

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Re: NROL codenames
« Reply #19 on: 03/14/2008 12:51 pm »
There does not appear to be a mission name for this launch.  The PLF logo was pretty bland, and even the patch that showed up on eBay didn't have one.
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