NROL codenames

[Bean Kenobi]

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.

[Jim]

Those are "codenames"  Just names of launches.

[brihath]

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.

[WHAP]

NROL-23: Canis Minor
NROL-30: Pyxis

[William Graham]

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.

[Bean Kenobi]

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...

[SFox]

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

[Nick L.]

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.

[William Graham]

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.

[Antares]

L-28 is VAFB.

[WHAP]

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.

[SFox]

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

[Jim]

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

[faustod]

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

[WHAP]

NROL-5 (Capricorn) 29.01.1998 Atlas 2A AC-109
NROL-12 (Aquila) 10.10.2001 Atlas IIAS AC-162

[SFox]

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.

[SFox]

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!

[Bean Kenobi]

Hello,

Does anyone know the NROL 28 launch name ? Thanks.


EDIT : Corrected Jim, thanks

[Jim]

There is a difference between launch/mission names and code names.  These are mission/launch names

[WHAP]

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.

[William Graham]

I think:
NROL-2 - USA-129 (Imp. Crystal) - Titan IVA - 20 December 1996
NROL-4 - USA-136 "Oscar" (Trumpet) - Titan IVA/Centaur - 8 November 1997
NROL-28 - USA-200 (Trumpet) - Atlas V 411 - 13 March 2008

I'm not quite sure whether NRO L-6 is USA-139 (Advanced Orion), launched on 9 May 1998, or Mercury-3, which was lost in a launch failure on 12 August 1998.

The others will probably be:

Whichever 1998 ELINT launch is not L-6

USA-119/124 (NOSS) - Titan IVA - 12 May 1996

USA-125 (SDS) - Titan IVA - 3 July 1996

USA-133 (Lacrosse) - Titan IVA - 24 October 1997

USA-144 (Misty) - Titan IVB - 22 May 1999

USA-152 (Lacrosse) - Titan IVB - 17 August 2000

USA-161 (Imp. Crystal) - Titan IVB - 5 October 2001


Some of the ones that haven't launched yet (Satellite types are guessed based on patches and known mission parameters):
NROL-25 - NOSS "Altair" - Delta IVM+(5,2) - 2011
NROL-26 - Adv. Orion or Prowler - Delta IVH - 9 September 2008

L-27 (DIVM+(4,2), April 2010) is probably Trumpet, L-15 (DIVH, April 2011) and L-32 (December 2009) could be GSO ELINTs. L-49 (DIVH, December 2010) is probably the last Improved Crystal, but it could be Lacrosse. L-29 (Atlas, TBD) is probably radar reconnaissance, hit by huge delays following the failure of L-21, which would explain the dissapearence from the schedules. The same could apply for L-39 (Atlas, 2011). Not sure about L-34 (AV401, October 2009), but possibly NOSS. I really don't know about L-41 (AV501, 2010), probably something with high volume and low mass. I would guess a follow-up to either Lacrosse (Like L-29) or Improved Crystal. These are just guesses, and time will show how many are correct.

[William Graham]

An update on my last post:

L-6 appears to have been the Mercury. The launch name was "Elwood". The launch name for th Advanced Orion on 9 May 1998 was "Jack", and the launch name for the SDS on 3 July 1996 was "Cygnus". I think L-14 might have been the Improved Crystal on 5 October 2001.

[faustod]

GW_Simulations - 10/5/2008  5:21 AM

Some of the ones that haven't launched yet (Satellite types are guessed based on patches and known mission parameters):
NROL-25 - NOSS "Altair" - Delta IVM+(5,2) - 2011
NROL-26 - Adv. Orion or Prowler - Delta IVH - 9 September 2008

L-27 (DIVM+(4,2), April 2010) is probably Trumpet, L-15 (DIVH, April 2011) and L-32 (December 2009) could be GSO ELINTs. L-49 (DIVH, December 2010) is probably the last Improved Crystal, but it could be Lacrosse. L-29 (Atlas, TBD) is probably radar reconnaissance, hit by huge delays following the failure of L-21, which would explain the dissapearence from the schedules. The same could apply for L-39 (Atlas, 2011). Not sure about L-34 (AV401, October 2009), but possibly NOSS. I really don't know about L-41 (AV501, 2010), probably something with high volume and low mass. I would guess a follow-up to either Lacrosse (Like L-29) or Improved Crystal. These are just guesses, and time will show how many are correct.

Interesting post.

About that, I have some considerations:

1- I read somewhere that Prowler is the followon of Trumpet.
   So, I understand that NROL-26 will be an Adv.Orion in case of a GTO launch,    
   otherwise it will be a Prowler, if the launch will be to a Molniya type orbit.

2- I suppose that the already launched NROL-22 and NROL-28, were Trumpet/Prowler type.

3- About NROL-34 and NROL-25(probably NOSS), I noted that the previous
    NOSS sats, were launched:
    NROL-13 and NRO-18 from VAFB and more recently NROL-23 and NROL-30 from CCAFS.
    Apparently, this type of sats, will now return to be launched from VAFB.

[William Graham]

faustod - 10/5/2008  4:44 PM
1- I read somewhere that Prowler is the followon of Trumpet.
   So, I understand that NROL-26 will be an Adv.Orion in case of a GTO launch,    
   otherwise it will be a Prowler, if the launch will be to a Molniya type orbit.

I have read different things about Prowler from different places. Some sources say that it is a Molniya-orbit ELINT (L-22 and L-28), whilst others say that it is a GSO ELINT bird. According to a source, ULA have publicly acknowledged that L-26 is a GSO launch. I would expect that as with Titan/Centaur launches, the payload will separate into GSO and not GTO.

2- I suppose that the already launched NROL-22 and NROL-28, were Trumpet/Prowler type.

They would appear to be Trumpet, or a follow-on programme. If Prowler is the Molniya-orbit programme, then this would apply.

3- About NROL-34 and NROL-25(probably NOSS), I noted that the previous
    NOSS sats, were launched:
    NROL-13 and NRO-18 from VAFB and more recently NROL-23 and NROL-30 from CCAFS.
    Apparently, this type of sats, will now return to be launched from VAFB.

It would appear so. Interesting to note that the next Trumpet launch appears to have switched the other way. Having seen the mission patch, I am absolutely convinced about L-25, as it exhibits a symbol which has appeared on several NOSS patches, and nothing else. It is probably to early to say about L-34.



Interestingly, I've been studying the PDF document linked to earlier in this thread, and it appears that one of the big payloads in the next few years is too heavy for D-IVH. That would suggest that they're not all the same type. Owing to its out-of-sequence designation, I am guessing that L-15 is the odd one out. Possibly an old LEO recon bird making one last flight. Some sources suggest that a sixth Lacrosse was built, and there is strong evidence that another Improved Crystal is on the way (one was supposedly ordered sometime around 2005/06 due to delays with FIA). The strange thing is that DIVH can supposedly outperform Titan. IC cannot launch from Canaveral, hence it is probably L-47, but Lacrosse has done so twice. Therefore if L-15 is an old LEO bird, it must be Lacrosse. The only other possibility would have been Misty, but that has been cancelled. The only confusion over the Lacrosse is that it would presumably be a replacement for Lacrosse-2, which is in a higher inclination orbit that can normally be reached from Canaveral - maybe the preformance issue is to do with a dog-leg in order to reach that orbit.

[faustod]

Thanks very much for reply.
As usually for the military programs,  when the launches will take place, we will know more about them.

[faustod]

Reading the thread, I understand that we have as follows:

NROL-1 USA-179 "Nemesis" 31.08.2004 Atlas-2AS AC-167
NROL-2 USA-129 Imp.Crystal 20.12.1996 Titan IVA
NROL-3
NROL-4 USA-136 "Oscar" Trumpet  8.11.1997  Titan IVA/Centaur
NROL-5 USA-137 "Capricorn" 29.01.1998 Atlas 2A AC-109
NROL-6 Mercury-3 "Elwood" launch failure, 12.08.1998 Titan IVA/Centaur
NROL-7
NROL-8
NROL-9
NROL-10 USA-155 "Great Bear" 06.12.2000 Atlas 2AS AC-157
NROL-11
NROL-12 USA-162 "Aquila" 10.10.2001 Atlas IIAS AC-162
NROL-13 USA-160 " Gemini" 08.09.2001 Atlas 2AS AC-160
NROL-14 USA-161 Imp.Crystal 05.10.2001 Titan 4B
NROL-15 planned
NROL-16 USA-182 Lacrosse 30.04.2005 Titan 4B B-30
NROL-17 USA-158 GeoLITE 18.05.2001 Delta 2
NROL-18 USA-173 "Libra" 02.12.2003 Atlas 2AS AC-164
NROL-19 USA-171 Adv. Orion 09.09.2003 Titan 4B B-36
NROL-20 USA-186 Imp.Crystal 19.10.2005 Titan 4B B-26
NROL-21 USA-193 14.12.2006 Delta 7920
NROL-22 USA-184 Trumpet 28.06.2006 Delta 4M+(4.2)
NROL-23 USA-181 "Canis Minor" 03.02.2005 Atlas 3B AC-206
NROL-24 USA-198 "Scorpius" 10.12.2007 Atlas V401
NROL-25 planned
NROL-26 planned
NROL-27 planned
NROL-28 USA-200 Trumpet 13.03.2008 Atlas V 411  
NROL-29 planned
NROL-30 USA-194 "Pixis" 15.06.2007 Atlas V401

Only five launches already performed remain to be determined.
I think they are:

USA-133 Lacrosse  24.10.1997  Titan IVA
USA-139 "Jack" Adv.Orion  09.05.1998 Titan IVB/Centaur
USA-141 STEX   03.10.1998   Taurus 1110
USA-144 Misty  22.05.1999   Titan IVB
USA-152 Lacrosse  17.08.2000  Titan IVB


Pratically I suppose that the NROL codenumbers started on 01.10.1996 with the Fiscal Year 1997.

[William Graham]

faustod - 13/5/2008  3:19 PM
USA-141 STEX   03.10.1998   Taurus 1110

USA-125 (SDS) - Titan IVA - 3 July 1996 is also possible. I don't know if they designate small satellites (but there again they don't normally get USA designations either). It is very likely to be STEX if your theory about the introduction is correct. Ignore the NOSS launch in my last post, that was a mistake.

The really strange thing is that the L-2 payload patch says "Titan-Centaur" and "SLC-40" on it, but was launched with out a Centaur and from SLC-4E. I noticed the same anomaly on another Improved Crystal patch. I'm looking into it. If the patch is to be believed, the launch name was "Joker", but I cannot be sure due to the inconsistencies. The patch looks a bit like a Milstar one, so I'm wondering if the payload was transferred or something.

[WHAP]

Can you post a picture of the patch?

[William Graham]

WHAP - 13/5/2008  4:50 PM

Can you post a picture of the patch?

Here they are. The "Joker" patch is L-2, and the "Sugar Daddy" patch is the previous Improved Crystal launch, which was on 5 December 1995. Both claim to be Titan-Centaur launches, but both serial numbers refer to Titan-only launches.

The images were downloaded from ebay, but are in the public domain under US copyright law, as they are images of work produced by the US Government, so there should be no legal issues.

[WHAP]

The Joker patch is for Titan/Centaur-13 (Titan 4 A21/K21), which was a Milstar launch on 11/6/95.  It is not NROL-2.

The Sugar Daddy patch is for Titan/Centaur-16 (Titan 4 A17/K20).  This was not a Milstar launch.  It occurred on 11/7/97.

[William Graham]

WHAP - 13/5/2008  6:17 PM

The Joker patch is for Titan/Centaur-13 (Titan 4 A21/K21), which was a Milstar launch on 11/6/95.  It is not NROL-2.

What's with the difference in designations?

WHAP - 13/5/2008  6:17 PM

The Sugar Daddy patch is for Titan/Centaur-16 (Titan 4 A17/K20).  This was not a Milstar launch.  It occurred on 11/7/97.

Are you sure? I've already seen two patches for that launch. I would say the number looks more like a 15, not a 16, but it is hard to read given the low quality of the image.


Thanks for your help.

[WHAP]

If it's T/C-15, it was on Titan 4 A16/K16, also not a Milstar mission.  I forgot what the Titan "K" designators represented; the A represents the Titan 4 model (the B model had upgraded SRM's and avionics, I think).

[William Graham]

Looks like I was wrong about L-6.

L-6 was USA-139, L-11 was USA-152.

I'm not sure which designation applies to Mercury-3.

[dchill]

What's with the difference in designations?

Are you sure? I've already seen two patches for that launch. I would say the number looks more like a 15, not a 16, but it is hard to read given the low quality of the image.


Thanks for your help.

I'm pretty sure we called that one "Sweet 16" as in a young girl's 16th birthday - hence the "How Sweet it is" and the "Sugar Daddy" references.  I didn't work that mission (since it flew with the older Centaur avionics?) so I didn't get the patch.

[William Graham]

I'm pretty sure we called that one "Sweet 16" as in a young girl's 16th birthday - hence the "How Sweet it is" and the "Sugar Daddy" references.  I didn't work that mission (since it flew with the older Centaur avionics?) so I didn't get the patch.

Yes "Sweet 16" is on the launch patch. Seems to make sense. I now have three patches associated with that one, did they give the Centaurs their own patches on some flights?

Thanks.

[WHAP]

Most, if not all, of the Centaurs had their own patch.  I had to go through my stack of T-shirts (I got those in lieu of the patches; the T-shirts are not specifically for the Centaur) and confirmed that this one was TC-15.  It has the Sweet 16 reference, which must be for the Titan booster (Centaur was Sugar Daddy, as shown on the patch).

Both TC-15 and TC-16 flew with the newer avionics.

[SFox]

NRO L-11 == TITAN IV B-28 Lacrosse-4
e-Bay link

[faustod]

Now we have:

NROL-1 USA-179 "Nemesis" 31.08.2004 Atlas-2AS AC-167
NROL-2 USA-129 Imp.Crystal 20.12.1996 Titan IVA
NROL-3  ??
NROL-4 USA-136 "Oscar" Trumpet  8.11.1997  Titan IVA/Centaur
NROL-5 USA-137 "Capricorn" 29.01.1998 Atlas 2A AC-109
NROL-6 USA-139 "Jack" Adv.Orion  09.05.1998 Titan IVB/Centaur
NROL-7  ??
NROL-8  ??
NROL-9  ??
NROL-10 USA-155 "Great Bear" 06.12.2000 Atlas 2AS AC-157
NROL-11 USA-152 Lacrosse  17.08.2000  Titan IVB
NROL-12 USA-162 "Aquila" 10.10.2001 Atlas IIAS AC-162
NROL-13 USA-160 " Gemini" 08.09.2001 Atlas 2AS AC-160
NROL-14 USA-161 Imp.Crystal 05.10.2001 Titan 4B
NROL-15 planned
NROL-16 USA-182 Lacrosse 30.04.2005 Titan 4B B-30
NROL-17 USA-158 GeoLITE 18.05.2001 Delta 2
NROL-18 USA-173 "Libra" 02.12.2003 Atlas 2AS AC-164
NROL-19 USA-171 Adv. Orion 09.09.2003 Titan 4B B-36
NROL-20 USA-186 Imp.Crystal 19.10.2005 Titan 4B B-26
NROL-21 USA-193 14.12.2006 Delta 7920
NROL-22 USA-184 Trumpet 28.06.2006 Delta 4M+(4.2)
NROL-23 USA-181 "Canis Minor" 03.02.2005 Atlas 3B AC-206
NROL-24 USA-198 "Scorpius" 10.12.2007 Atlas V401
NROL-25 planned
NROL-26 planned
NROL-27 planned
NROL-28 USA-200 Trumpet 13.03.2008 Atlas V 411 
NROL-29 planned
NROL-30 USA-194 "Pixis" 15.06.2007 Atlas V401

I think that it's very probable that
USA-133 Lacrosse  24.10.1997  Titan IVA  was NROL-3.

[William Graham]

I think that it's very probable that
USA-133 Lacrosse  24.10.1997  Titan IVA  was NROL-3.

I agree that it is probable, but it is not definite. These things do move around - look at L-1.

[William Graham]

NRO L-49 patch has just appeared on ebay:
http://www.webcitation.org/5imPuwg3q (I've archived the URL as ebay don't keep pages for too long).

Much more interesting than some of the recent ones in terms of "clues" to the payload. A bird (presumably a phoenix) is rising out of a fire at the bottom of the patch. Fourteen stars are clearly visible, ten on a US flag in the background, and four at the bottom of the patch. What I believe is a fifteenth star is partially obscured by the bird's wing. In addition, one of the stars on the US flag appears to be in the bird's beak. The words "melior diabolus quem scies" appear at the top of the patch, which roughly translate as "better the devil you know".

My own assessment of this would be that the phoenix symbolises the NRO's optical reconnaissance programme "rising out of the ashes" of FIA. As I stated previously, it was reported that Improved Crystal production was restarted when FIA was cancelled, and I had previously suspected that L-49 might be an Improved Crystal. The latin phrase seems to support this theory. Also, if this is an Improved Crystal, it would be the fifteenth launch of a KH-11 series satellite (including the ones sometimes identified as KH-12, and excluding both Misty satellites). One of the earlier KH-11 launches failed, so the fifteen stars could represent the fifteen launches, with the obscured one representing the failure. The star that appears to be in the bird's beak could represent NRO L-49, being "carried" to orbit (I'm fairly sure that symbolism has been used before). Finally, the shape of the phoenix's wings is similar to the shape of a symbol which appeared on the NRO L-14 patch, which is believed to have been an Improved Crystal launch.

[Blackstar]

A tip of the hat to GW_Simulations for the info:

http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1437/1

[William Graham]

It's been a while since this was updated, and Jonathan McDowell seems to have identified the four missing satellites, so here is a new list:


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 "Oscar"        - 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 "Jack"         - USA-139 - Mentor   - 09.05.1998 - Titan IV(401)B   - CCAFS
NROL-7 "Elwood"       -         - Mercury  - 12.08.1998 - Titan IV(401)A   - CCAFS
NROL-8                - USA-144 - EIS?     - 22.05.1999 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-9                -         - STEX     - 03.10.1998 - Taurus 1110      - VAFB
NROL-10 "Great Bear"  - 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               -         - Mentor?  -       2011 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-16 "Prometheus"  - 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 "Homer"       - 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"      -         - NOSS??   -       2012 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB
NROL-26               - USA-202 - Mentor   - 18.01.2009 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-27 "Gryphon"     -         - SDS?     -       2011 - Delta IV-M+(4,2) - CCAFS
NROL-28               - USA-200 - Trumpet  - 13.03.2008 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-29               -         -          - cancelled? - Atlas V 501      - 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               - Unknown
NROL-34 "Frigga"      -         - Trumpet? -       2011 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-35               - Unknown
NROL-36               - Unknown
NROL-37               -         -          -       2015 - Delta IV-H
NROL-38               - Unknown
NROL-39               -         - FIA-R?   - Unknown    - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-40               - Unknown
NROL-41 "Gladys"      - USA-215 - FIA-R    - 21.09.2010 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-42               - Unknown
NROL-43               - Unknown
NROL-44               - Unknown
NROL-45               -         - FIA-R?   - Unknown    - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-46               - Unknown
NROL-47               - Unknown
NROL-48               - Unknown
NROL-49 "Betty"       - 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               - Unknown
NROL-56               - Unknown
NROL-57               - Unknown
NROL-58               - Unknown
NROL-59               - Unknown
NROL-60               - Unknown
NROL-61               - Unknown
NROL-62               - Unknown
NROL-63               - Unknown
NROL-64               - Unknown
NROL-65               - Unknown
NROL-66               -         -         -       2011 - Minotaur I       - VAFB


Launches in italics have not yet taken place

[Lee Jay]

NROL-49 "Betty"       - USA-224 - KH-11    - 20.01.2011 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS

It was only the day before yesterday so I don't think my memory has gone yet - it didn't look much like CCAFS to me.   

[William Graham]

NROL-49 "Betty"       - USA-224 - KH-11    - 20.01.2011 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS

It was only the day before yesterday so I don't think my memory has gone yet - it didn't look much like CCAFS to me.   

That was a typo, and has been corrected.

[snowhole]

Sorry if I'm asking in the wrong place. Do we have a thread of NRO L-66 launch? Can't seem to find it here or in the Orbital board. Cheers.

[Skyrocket]

NROL-25 "Altair"      -         - NOSS??   -       2012 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB[/i]
NROL-34 "Frigga"      -         - Trumpet? -       2011 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB


For these two launches, i have some doubt concerning the payloads:

NROL-25 has a 5m fairing, but earlier NOSS launches on Atlas fitted pretty well inside the 4m fairing. Therfore i think, a FIA-R is more likely.

NROL-34 is AFAIK a Atlas V 401. It could well be an SDS on a molniya orbit, a Trumpet F/O or a NOSS payload.

[William Graham]

NROL-25 "Altair"      -         - NOSS??   -       2012 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB[/i]
NROL-34 "Frigga"      -         - Trumpet? -       2011 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB

For these two launches, i have some doubt concerning the payloads:

NROL-25 has a 5m fairing, but earlier NOSS launches on Atlas fitted pretty well inside the 4m fairing. Therfore i think, a FIA-R is more likely.

NROL-34 is AFAIK a Atlas V 401. It could well be an SDS on a molniya orbit, a Trumpet F/O or a NOSS payload.

L-34 is definitely going on a 411, I've got an image of the launch patch somewhere, I'll try and find it.

Although NOSS can fit inside the four metre Atlas fairing, it did require a lengthened version. The four metre Delta fairing is far shorter, and I do not believe a NOSS payload would fit inside. The five metre fairing is longer, and should be sufficient. There is also a typical NOSS symbol on the patch, but that could be wrong. I agree that if it is not NOSS, then it will be FIA-R.


Also, I've seen a suggestion that USA-144 might have been NROL-9.

[Skyrocket]

Although NOSS can fit inside the four metre Atlas fairing, it did require a lengthened version. The four metre Delta fairing is far shorter, and I do not believe a NOSS payload would fit inside. The five metre fairing is longer, and should be sufficient. There is also a typical NOSS symbol on the patch, but that could be wrong. I agree that if it is not NOSS, then it will be FIA-R.

The Delta-IV 4m fairing is longer than the 4m EPF fairing of Atlas, which was used for NOSS. Therfore it is possible to launch NOSS on an Delta with 4m fairing

[Skyrocket]

L-34 is definitely going on a 411, I've got an image of the launch patch somewhere, I'll try and find it.

I've found the patch - you are right, it is an Atlas V 411, which makes a Trumpet F/O likley.

[William Graham]

Although NOSS can fit inside the four metre Atlas fairing, it did require a lengthened version. The four metre Delta fairing is far shorter, and I do not believe a NOSS payload would fit inside. The five metre fairing is longer, and should be sufficient. There is also a typical NOSS symbol on the patch, but that could be wrong. I agree that if it is not NOSS, then it will be FIA-R.

The Delta-IV 4m fairing is longer than the 4m EPF fairing of Atlas, which was used for NOSS. Therfore it is possible to launch NOSS on an Delta with 4m fairing

From the PPGs, the Delta IV 4m fairing is 11.7 metres long, Atlas EPF is 12.9 metres long, Atlas LPF is 12.0 metres long, and XEPF is 13.8 metres long. The Delta 5m fairing is 14.3 metres long.

For that matter, I'm not convinced that Delta IV can carry FIA. Its fairing only has slightly more usable volume than the small Atlas V 5m fairing, and the Atlas V required the medium fairing. Unless the size difference between the spacecraft and smaller fairing is marginal, I doubt if it would fit.

[Stan Black]

If L-39 and L-41 are both FIA-R then why was L-41 the first?

[Skyrocket]

If L-39 and L-41 are both FIA-R then why was L-41 the first?

The launch numbers are not chronological. For example NROL-1 was an SDS launched much later than several other SDS payloads.

[Jos]

L-39 was first scheduled to launch before L-41 according to the manifest on page 6 of this pdf.

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/meetings/jan2009/presentations/sollittKroening.pdf

[William Graham]

It seems likely that L-9 was USA-144, so L-8 was probably STEX.


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 "Oscar"        - 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 "Jack"         - USA-139 - Mentor   - 09.05.1998 - Titan IV(401)B   - CCAFS
NROL-7 "Elwood" (?)   -         - Mercury  - 12.08.1998 - Titan IV(401)A   - CCAFS
NROL-8 (?)            -         - STEX     - 03.10.1998 - Taurus 1110      - VAFB
NROL-9                - USA-144 - EIS?     - 22.05.1999 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-10 "Great Bear"  - 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               -         - Mentor?  -       2011 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-16 "Prometheus"  - 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 "Homer"       - 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"      -         - NOSS??   -       2012 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB
NROL-26               - USA-202 - Mentor   - 18.01.2009 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-27 "Gryphon"     -         - SDS?     -       2011 - Delta IV-M+(4,2) - CCAFS
NROL-28               - USA-200 - Trumpet  - 13.03.2008 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-29               -         -          - cancelled? - Atlas V 501      - 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               -         - NOSS/SDS - Unknown    - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-34 "Frigga"      -         - Trumpet? -       2011 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-35               - Unknown
NROL-36               - Unknown
NROL-37               -         -          -       2015 - Delta IV-H
NROL-38               -         - NOSS/SDS - Unknown    - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-39               -         - FIA-R?   - Unknown    - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-40               - Unknown
NROL-41 "Gladys"      - USA-215 - FIA-R    - 21.09.2010 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-42               - Unknown
NROL-43               - Unknown
NROL-44               - Unknown
NROL-45               -         - FIA-R?   - Unknown    - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-46               - Unknown
NROL-47               - Unknown
NROL-48               - Unknown
NROL-49 "Betty"       - 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               - Unknown
NROL-56               - Unknown
NROL-57               - Unknown
NROL-58               - Unknown
NROL-59               - Unknown
NROL-60               - Unknown
NROL-61               - Unknown
NROL-62               - Unknown
NROL-63               - Unknown
NROL-64               - Unknown
NROL-65               - Unknown
NROL-66               -         -         -       2011 - Minotaur I       - VAFB


Launches in italics have not yet taken place
[/quote]

[William Graham]

Some more details on upcoming missions. I don't have a clue what L-35 and L-67 are. Best guess is something new. L-67 could be a geosynchronous ELINT satellite to begin replacing the Mentors, but given the other DIVH launches from the Cape, Mentor launches are likely to continue for some time. That said, it could be some time away. L-35 is even more of a mystery - why would anything need an Atlas V with three boosters from Vandenberg. Every known class of NRO payload will either fit on an Atlas with at most one booster, or it won't fit at all. My best guess would be a prototype optical satellite, but I thought KH-11 production had been restarted.

Of the others, L-65 will be either KH-11 or Mentor depending on launch site, L-55 will probably be NOSS or SDS (my money would be on NOSS, the type used to launch from Vandenberg on the Atlas IIAS). L-36 looks like another Trumpet.


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 "Oscar"        - 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 "Jack"         - USA-139 - Mentor   - 09.05.1998 - Titan IV(401)B   - CCAFS
NROL-7 "Elwood" (?)   -         - Mercury  - 12.08.1998 - Titan IV(401)A   - CCAFS
NROL-8 (?)            -         - STEX     - 03.10.1998 - Taurus 1110      - VAFB
NROL-9                - USA-144 - EIS?     - 22.05.1999 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-10 "Great Bear"  - 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               -         - Mentor?  -       2011 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-16 "Prometheus"  - 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 "Homer"       - 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"      -         - NOSS??   -       2012 - Delta IV-M+(5,2) - VAFB
NROL-26               - USA-202 - Mentor   - 18.01.2009 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS
NROL-27 "Gryphon"     -         - SDS?     -       2011 - Delta IV-M+(4,2) - CCAFS
NROL-28               - USA-200 - Trumpet  - 13.03.2008 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-29               -         -          - cancelled? - Atlas V 501      - 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               -         - NOSS/SDS - Unknown    - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-34 "Frigga"*     -         - Trumpet? -       2011 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-35               -         -          - Unknown    - Atlas V 531      - VAFB
NROL-36               -         - Trumpet? - Unknown    - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-37               -         -          -       2015 - Delta IV-H
NROL-38               -         - NOSS/SDS - Unknown    - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-39               -         - FIA-R?   - Unknown    - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-40               - Unknown
NROL-41 "Gladys"      - USA-215 - FIA-R    - 21.09.2010 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-42               - Unknown
NROL-43               - Unknown
NROL-44               - Unknown
NROL-45               -         - FIA-R?   - Unknown    - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-46               - Unknown
NROL-47               - Unknown
NROL-48               - Unknown
NROL-49 "Betty"       - 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               -         -          - Unknown    - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-56               - Unknown
NROL-57               - Unknown
NROL-58               - Unknown
NROL-59               - Unknown
NROL-60               - Unknown
NROL-61               - Unknown
NROL-62               - Unknown
NROL-63               - Unknown
NROL-64               - Unknown
NROL-65               -         -         - Unknown    - Delta IV-H
NROL-66               -         - RPP     -       2011 - Minotaur I       - VAFB
NROL-67               -         -         - Unknown    - Atlas V 541      - CCAFS


* - The NROL-34 mission patch calls the rocket "Frigga", however mission posters call it "Odin"

Launches in italics have not yet taken place

[William Graham]

According to http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Despite-Problems-SBIRS-High-Moves-Ahead-With-3rd-Satellite-Award-05467/ a third SBIRS-HEO spacecraft is being prepared for launch. The last two were attached to Trumpet satellites, so it seems logical that it may be on NROL-34.

[William Graham]

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 - EIS?     - 22.05.1999 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-10 "Great Bear"  - 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               -         - Mentor?  -       2011 - 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"      -         - NOSS??   -       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               -         -          - cancelled? - Atlas V 501      - 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?     - Unknown    - 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               -         - Trumpet? - Unknown    - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-37               -         - Mentor?  -       2015 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS?
NROL-38               -         - SDS?     - Unknown    - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-39               -         - FIA-R?   - Unknown    - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-40               - Unknown
NROL-41               - USA-215 - FIA-R    - 21.09.2010 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-42               - Unknown
NROL-43               - Unknown
NROL-44               - Unknown
NROL-45               -         - FIA-R?   - Unknown    - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-46               - Unknown
NROL-47               - Unknown
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               -         -          - SDS??      - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-56               - Unknown
NROL-57               - Unknown
NROL-58               - Unknown
NROL-59               - Unknown
NROL-60               - Unknown
NROL-61               - Unknown
NROL-62               - Unknown
NROL-63               - Unknown
NROL-64               - Unknown
NROL-65               -         -         - Unknown    - Delta IV-H
NROL-66               - USA-225 - RPP     - 06.02.2011 - Minotaur I       - VAFB
NROL-67               -         -         - Unknown    - Atlas V 541      - CCAFS


Launches in italics have not yet taken place

[Jim]

"The NROL-34 mission patch calls the rocket "Frigga", however mission posters call it "Odin""

Launch vehicle names are different than mission names.

If it is on a SLS patch, it is a booste namer. Mission names are on the fairing.

Frigga, Gladys, Betty, homer, Elwood, jack, Oscar were booster names.

[Invicta]

does anyone know where to get the FRIGGA insignia as a graphic version?

[Skyrocket]

NROL-34 "Frigga"*     -         - Trumpet? -       2011 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB

Observations have now confirmed this to be a NOSS duo, not a Trumpet

[William Graham]

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 - EIS?     - 22.05.1999 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-10 "Great Bear"  - 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               -         - Mentor?  -       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"      -         - NOSS??   -       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               -         -          - cancelled? - Atlas V 501      - 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?     - Unknown    - 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               -         - Trumpet? -       2012 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-37               -         - Mentor?  -       2015 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS?
NROL-38               -         - SDS?     -       2012 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-39               -         - FIA-R?   - Unknown    - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-40               - Unknown
NROL-41               - USA-215 - FIA-R    - 21.09.2010 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-42               - Unknown
NROL-43               - Unknown
NROL-44               - Unknown
NROL-45               -         - FIA-R?   - Unknown    - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-46               - Unknown
NROL-47               - Unknown
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               -         -          - SDS??      - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-56               - Unknown
NROL-57               - Unknown
NROL-58               - Unknown
NROL-59               - Unknown
NROL-60               - Unknown
NROL-61               - Unknown
NROL-62               - Unknown
NROL-63               - Unknown
NROL-64               - Unknown
NROL-65               -         -         - Unknown    - Delta IV-H
NROL-66               - USA-225 - RPP     - 06.02.2011 - Minotaur I       - VAFB
NROL-67               -         -         - Unknown    - Atlas V 541      - CCAFS


Launches in italics have not yet taken place

[4353]

I recently obtained a launch patch for NROL-25. It has the name "electra" for the booster name.

[William Graham]

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 - EIS?     - 22.05.1999 - Titan IV(404)B   - VAFB
NROL-10 "Great Bear"  - 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               -         - Mentor?  -       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"      -         - NOSS?    -       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               -         -          - cancelled? - Atlas V 501      - 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               -         - NOSS??   -       2012 - Atlas V 411      - VAFB
NROL-37               -         - Mentor?  -       2015 - Delta IV-H       - CCAFS?
NROL-38 "Drake"       -         - SDS?     -       2012 - Atlas V 401      - CCAFS
NROL-39               -         - FIA-R?   -    2014/15 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-40               - Unknown
NROL-41               - USA-215 - FIA-R    - 21.09.2010 - Atlas V 501      - VAFB
NROL-42               - Unknown
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               -         -          - SDS??      - Atlas V 401      - VAFB
NROL-56               - Unknown
NROL-57               - Unknown
NROL-58               - Unknown
NROL-59               -         -          -            -                  - VAFB
NROL-60               - Unknown
NROL-61               - Unknown
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               -         -          -    2014/15 - Atlas V 541      - CCAFS


Launches in italics have not yet taken place

[William Graham]

According to a budget report, the US Air Force is expecting to take delivery of SBIRS-HEO 3 in August. Not sure what to make of that - the gap between delivery and launch was about two years for the last two SBIRS-HEO payloads, but both launches had been severely delayed. I would expect that HEO-3 will be mounted on an Improved Trumpet satellite like the last two, so it would probably be on an Atlas V 411 or Delta IV-M+(4,2) from VAFB. I had identified L-38 as the probable candidate, but given that it is scheduled for launch in August, it seems less likely. From my analysis of past Jumpseat/Trumpet launches, I would be surprised to see two launches in the next two years, so unless delivery, integration and launch can be conducted in the space of a month, NROL-38 is likely to be NOSS.

SBIRS-HEO 4 isn't due to be delivered until January 2015, so we could be looking at the current Trumpet satellites being replaced after about 9-10 years in orbit (the first was launched in 2006).

[William Graham]

Looking for some information on NROL-55, I stumbled upon an old post at Novosti Kosmonavtiki. It quotes a no-longer-accessible NASA document on EELV operations, and gives the launch sites and scheduled dates for a number of scheduled launches, circa 2005. There's a figure on page 5 of the thread which appears to have been taken from the document.

http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3345

NROL-22 Delta IV (4,2) VAFB SLC-6 2005.07
NROL-26 Delta IV CCAFS SLC-37B 2005.12
NROL-25 Delta IV (4,0) VAFB SLC-6 2006.03
NROL-30 Atlas V (501) CCAFS SLC-41 2006.03
NROL-28 Atlas V (411) VAFB SLC-3E 2006.05
NROL-29 Atlas V (Unk) VAFB SLC-3E 2006.07
STP-1 Atlas V (401) CCAFS SLC-41 2006.09
NROL-24 Atlas V (401) CCAFS SLC-41 2007.07
NROL-41 Atlas V (501) VAFB SLC-3E 2007.09
NROL-32 CCAFS 2007.10
NROL-43 VAFB 2008.01
NROL-39 Atlas V (501) VAFB SLC-3E 2008.10
NROL-27 CCAFS 2009.01
NROL-34 CCAFS 2009.07
NROL-45 Atlas V (501) VAFB SLC-3E 2009.10
NROL-38 CCAFS 2009.10
STP-2 CCAFS 2010.04
NROL-15 CCAFS 2010.04
STTR-1 CCAFS 2011.01
NROL-36 CCAFS 2012.01
NROL-46 CCAFS 2012.01
NROL-47 VAFB 2012.01
NROL-33 CCAFS 2012.01
NROL-59 VAFB 2012.10
ODSI 1a&b CCAFS 2013.01
NROL-35 VAFB 2013.07

A few interesting things here:
NROL-25 was slated to fly on a Delta IVM. That suggests that it has a very low mass, and that its expected size must have increased to justify the change to the M+(5,2) - with the IVM apparently out of service, the M+(4,2) seems to be launching the other payloads which were slated for it.

NROL-30 was listed as being on an Atlas V 501, rather than the 401 which actually launched it. Not sure what to make of this, and it could be an error in the document (the figure lists it as an Atlas but uses the Delta IV symbol instead of the Atlas one, so other errors may have crept in). If it was actually expected to use a 501, then it would be interesting, because it has until now been assumed that the payload was a third-generation NOSS; several of which had been launched by earlier Atlas models, so the fairing requirements would have been well known. The implication would be that this could be the first fourth-generation satellite.

NROL-34 appears to have been moved from Canaveral to Vandenberg, presumably to relieve manifest congestion. Not a huge surprise, and we already knew that NOSS could launch from either coast.

NROL-36 has also been moved from Canaveral to Vandenberg. In theory, SDS (Molniya) and Trumpet can probably be launched from either coast, current generation satellites have thus far launched exclusively from the East and West coasts respectively. That gives a very weak indication that it might be a NOSS.



Interestingly, the thread also contained a link to a copy of a USAF press release which effectively stated that NROL-25 could not be launched using an Atlas V. It's a medium-class payload well within the capacity of both EELVs, and the release is dated after conversion of SLC-3E had been authorised, so that doesn't make much sense. At the time, NROL-25 was expected to launch in 2005, so I can only think they wanted to make sure that it didn't have to wait for pad conversion work (which itself doesn't make sense, given the fact it was later delayed five years in order to make sure NROL-49 launched on time), and since all indications are that NROL-25 is NOSS, it could probably have launched on an Atlas from Canaveral anyway.



With regards to the NROL-30 question, does anyone have any information on the fairings used by the Atlas II and III NOSS launches?

[Stan Black]

http://web.archive.org/web/20061013184614/http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/apio/pdf/cev/11_dod_perspective.pdf

[Skyrocket]

With regards to the NROL-30 question, does anyone have any information on the fairings used by the Atlas II and III NOSS launches?

Same as in Atlas V: The extended payload fairing (EPF)

[Jim]

What about the fairings?

Also,the DIVM is still available.

[William Graham]

With regards to the NROL-30 question, does anyone have any information on the fairings used by the Atlas II and III NOSS launches?

Same as in Atlas V: The extended payload fairing (EPF)

Thanks - no discernable change, so I'm going to assume the 501 was just a typo.

What about the fairings?

Also,the DIVM is still available.

I was curious as to whether the same fairing was used for Atlas II/III and V NOSS launches, in order to ascertain whether any change in the size of the spacecraft occurred with the change in rockets (which would have explained why L-30 was listed as a 501 not a 401 in the NASA document.

Thanks for the clarification about the DIVM, I thought I had read something about standardising on the M+ around the time that the GPS launches switched to it, but I can't find it now.

[William Graham]

According to MSDB, L-65 will launch from Vandenberg next year on a DIVH. That means it is almost certainly a KH-11.

[alexw]

According to MSDB, L-65 will launch from Vandenberg next year on a DIVH. That means it is almost certainly a KH-11.

    I thought NROL-49 in January 2011 was supposed to be the last KH-11, built from spare parts after the collapse of FIA. But WP (FWIW) says "NRO ordered two additional legacy hardware KH-11s"?
       -Alex

[Prober]

Was NROL-37 a slip in the timeline?

[Targeteer]

Ted Molczan has released an interesting speculation of upcoming NRO payloads

http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2012/0199.html

Launch Date  Launch   Site     Vehicle        Payload Guess                 Confidence
20 Jun 2012  NROL-38  CCAFS  Atlas V-401   SDS GEO or HEO                    90%
28 Jun 2012  NROL-15  CCAFS  Delta IV-H     Misty 1-3                         70
02 Aug 2012  NROL-36  VAFB   Atlas V-401   NOSS 3-6                         100
    CY 2013  NROL-65  VAFB   Delta IV-H     Final Block 4 KH-11              100
    FY 2014  AFSPC-4  CCAFS  Delta IV-M(4,2)  Trumpet-FO 3 + SBIRS-HEO 3        80
    FY 2014  NROL-39  VAFB   Atlas V-501    FIA Radar 3                      100
    FY 2014  NROL-67  CCAFS  Atlas V-541    Next Generation GEO SIGINT        90
    FY 2014  NROL-33  CCAFS  Atlas V-401    SDS HEO or GEO, or NOSS           95

[vapour_nudge]

HTH I found an ULA article a few weeks back that lists the following:

NROL-42 - 2017 - Atlas V 541 -  VAFB SLC-3E   LEO
NROL-55 - 2015 - Atlas V 401 -  VAFB SLC-3E   LEO
NROL-61 - 2017 - Atlas V 411 -  CCAFS-SLC41  GTO
NROL-67 - 2014 - Atlas V 541 -  VAFB SLC-3E   LEO
NROL-79 - 2017 - Atlas V 401 -  VAFB SLC-3E   LEO

[Targeteer]

HTH I found an ULA article a few weeks back that lists the following:

NROL-42 - 2017 - Atlas V 541 -  VAFB SLC-3E   LEO
NROL-55 - 2015 - Atlas V 401 -  VAFB SLC-3E   LEO
NROL-61 - 2017 - Atlas V 411 -  CCAFS-SLC41  GTO
NROL-67 - 2014 - Atlas V 541 -  VAFB SLC-3E   LEO
NROL-79 - 2017 - Atlas V 401 -  VAFB SLC-3E   LEO

Do you have a link to the article?

Interesting that NROL-67 moved to the west coast according to the two references. Is that move real or an error with one of the sources?

[William Graham]

HTH I found an ULA article a few weeks back that lists the following:

NROL-42 - 2017 - Atlas V 541 -  VAFB SLC-3E   LEO
NROL-55 - 2015 - Atlas V 401 -  VAFB SLC-3E   LEO
NROL-61 - 2017 - Atlas V 411 -  CCAFS-SLC41  GTO
NROL-67 - 2014 - Atlas V 541 -  VAFB SLC-3E   LEO
NROL-79 - 2017 - Atlas V 401 -  VAFB SLC-3E   LEO

Very unusual to see the orbits included...not sure how accurate they will be, but assuming they are, I'd say the two 401s are probably NOSS.

The others are a little odd - the only NRO payloads that launch on a 411 are NOSS and Improved Trumpet, and they don't go to GTO. I can't see an Improved Trumpet class launching on a 411 to GEO because it would have to carry a kick motor or a lot more fuel, so it would need a bigger rocket. Best guess would be a fourth-generation SDS.

That leaves the two 541s. LEO from VAFB usually means IMINT. I can't see FIA-R being replaced that soon, so my guess would be a new electro-optical satellite. Rocket is a little large for that though - comparable commercial satellites are booked to launch on 401s.

That said, this assumes that the orbits are accurate.

[Jim]

That leaves the two 541s. LEO from VAFB usually means IMINT. I can't see FIA-R being replaced that soon, so my guess would be a new electro-optical satellite. Rocket is a little large for that though - comparable commercial satellites are booked to launch on 401s.

Huh?  Too large?  Commercial satellites aren't comparable.  Spacecraft on Delta IV Heavy would be.

[William Graham]

That leaves the two 541s. LEO from VAFB usually means IMINT. I can't see FIA-R being replaced that soon, so my guess would be a new electro-optical satellite. Rocket is a little large for that though - comparable commercial satellites are booked to launch on 401s.

Huh?  Too large?  Commercial satellites aren't comparable.  Spacecraft on Delta IV Heavy would be.

True, but I was under the impression the NRO was moving towards smaller satellites, not much larger than the commercial ones. Before its cancellation, FIA-O was believed to be slated for a 521.

[vapour_nudge]

The document was dated May 29-30 2012, the copyright was 2011. I kept a screenshot of the table of launches. It is quite possible they got the Atlas V 541 launch wrong, also note the launch years were labelled FY2015 etc. I am not sure what the US FY is. In Australia it ends on June 30.

The launches were listed as either WR or ER (Western or Eastern Range) and the only indication of LEO launches for the NRO launches was in the notes on the right hand side. Still, it might prove helpful to someone.

Check out the table and see what you think

[William Graham]

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

[a_langwich]

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?

[Jim]

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

[Targeteer]

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 

[Targeteer]

I think the US financial year starts on 1 October.

It does for the federal government.

[William Graham]

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.

[William Graham]

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)

[William Graham]

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)

[William Graham]

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?

[kevin-rf]

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.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

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? 

[William Graham]

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.

[Jim]

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

[vapour_nudge]

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?

[William Graham]

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.

[William Graham]

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

[William Graham]

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

[Alter Sachse]

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 !

[William Graham]

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

[Tibey]

Is Silent Barker NROL-107?

[zubenelgenubi]

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

[Bean Kenobi]

Is Silent Barker NROL-107?

It seems.

[Vahe231991]

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

The NROL-82 satellite that was launched on April 26, 2021 is clearly a KH-11 satellite.

[Vahe231991]

The satellite launched as part of the NROL-68 mission that was launched today appears to be codenamed Orion 11/Mentor 9:
https://mezha.media/en/2023/06/22/during-the-launch-of-nrol-68-the-us-put-a-new-electronic-reconnaissance-satellite-into-space/
https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/orion-5_nro.htm

[Bean Kenobi]

The NROL-68 mission that was launched today appears to be codenamed Orion 11/Mentor 9:
https://mezha.media/en/2023/06/22/during-the-launch-of-nrol-68-the-us-put-a-new-electronic-reconnaissance-satellite-into-space/
https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/orion-5_nro.htm

What you mention isn't the NROL codename, please read the 1st post.

"L" in "NROL" stands for "launch". It's a name linked to the launch itself, not to the payload ("Orion 11/Mentor 9" is the presumed payload name).

[Vahe231991]

The NROL-68 mission that was launched today appears to be codenamed Orion 11/Mentor 9:
https://mezha.media/en/2023/06/22/during-the-launch-of-nrol-68-the-us-put-a-new-electronic-reconnaissance-satellite-into-space/
https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/orion-5_nro.htm

What you mention isn't the NROL codename, please read the 1st post.

"L" in "NROL" stands for "launch". It's a name linked to the launch itself, not to the payload ("Orion 11/Mentor 9" is the presumed payload name).

I understand that NROL designations apply only to NRO launches and that NRO codenames are different from the presumed name for payloads associated with a certain launch, but I should emphasize that the table in post #97 is dated because the NROL-91, NROL-82, NROL-101, NROL-71, NROL-52, and other NRO launches involving the Delta IV, Atlas V, and Minotaur rockets highlighted in italics have been launched in the past few years. The satellite designation USA-345 is cited by Gunter's Space Page for the satellite launched as part of the NROL-68 mission, and the Defense Daily now reports that the Vulcan will be used for the NROL-64 and NROL-83. Hence, the table in post#97 should be updated to reflect that NRO launches highlighted in italics have been launched and given USA-series satellite designations.