Mercury (satellite)
Encyclopedia
MERCURY is reportedly the name of a series of three United States spy satellites launched in the 1990s. These satellites were launched and operated by the National Reconnaissance Office
with the participation of the United States Air Force
. Two of the three launches from Cape Canaveral
were successful. The satellites collect SIGINT from near-geosynchronous orbit
s. Their precise mission and capabilities are highly classified
, but they are widely believed to be successors to the Vortex/Chalet satellites.
The last launch attempt, on 12 August 1998 failed and sent the USD $700–800 million satellite and the $344 million Titan IV
A/Centaur
launch vehicle into the Atlantic Ocean. The failure was caused by a short circuit
in the guidance system, after which the Range Safety Officer
ordered the destruction of the rocket. Observers estimate each spacecraft weighs 4000–5000 kg.
National Reconnaissance Office
The National Reconnaissance Office , located in Chantilly, Virginia, is one of the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies. It designs, builds, and operates the spy satellites of the United States government.-Mission:...
with the participation of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. Two of the three launches from Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral, from the Spanish Cabo Cañaveral, is a headland in Brevard County, Florida, United States, near the center of the state's Atlantic coast. Known as Cape Kennedy from 1963 to 1973, it lies east of Merritt Island, separated from it by the Banana River.It is part of a region known as the...
were successful. The satellites collect SIGINT from near-geosynchronous orbit
Geosynchronous orbit
A geosynchronous orbit is an orbit around the Earth with an orbital period that matches the Earth's sidereal rotation period...
s. Their precise mission and capabilities are highly classified
Classified information
Classified information is sensitive information to which access is restricted by law or regulation to particular groups of persons. A formal security clearance is required to handle classified documents or access classified data. The clearance process requires a satisfactory background investigation...
, but they are widely believed to be successors to the Vortex/Chalet satellites.
The last launch attempt, on 12 August 1998 failed and sent the USD $700–800 million satellite and the $344 million Titan IV
Titan IV
The Titan IV family of space boosters were used by the U.S. Air Force. They were launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. At the time of its introduction, the Titan IV was the "largest unmanned space booster used by the Air Force."The...
A/Centaur
Centaur (rocket stage)
Centaur is a rocket stage designed for use as the upper stage of space launch vehicles. Centaur boosts its satellite payload to geosynchronous orbit or, in the case of an interplanetary space probe, to or near to escape velocity...
launch vehicle into the Atlantic Ocean. The failure was caused by a short circuit
Short circuit
A short circuit in an electrical circuit that allows a current to travel along an unintended path, often where essentially no electrical impedance is encountered....
in the guidance system, after which the Range Safety Officer
Range Safety Officer
In the field of rocketry, Range Safety Officer is a generic term referring to an individual who monitors the performance of rockets in flight, and who is responsible for their remote destruction if it should be judged that they pose a hazard...
ordered the destruction of the rocket. Observers estimate each spacecraft weighs 4000–5000 kg.
Launches
- Mercury 1 launched 27 Aug 1994 (USA-105) 1994-054A
- Mercury 2 launched 24 April 1996 (USA-118) 1996-026A
- Mercury 3 failed to launch 12 August 1998 1998-F02
External links
- Mercury ELINT at Encyclopedia AstronauticaEncyclopedia AstronauticaThe Encyclopedia Astronautica is a reference web site on space travel. A comprehensive catalog of vehicles, technology, astronauts, and flights, it includes information from most countries that have had an active rocket research program, from Robert Goddard to the NASA Space shuttle to the Soviet...
- Mercury/Advanced VORTEX from Federation of American ScientistsFederation of American ScientistsThe Federation of American Scientists is a nonpartisan, 501 organization intent on using science and scientific analysis to attempt make the world more secure. FAS was founded in 1945 by scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project to develop the first atomic bombs...
- Video of the launch and destruction