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.