USA-223
Encyclopedia
USA-223, known before launch as NRO Launch 32 (NRO L-32), is an American
reconnaissance satellite which was launched in 2010. It is operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office
.
Whilst details of its mission are officially classified, amateur observers have identified USA-223 as the fifth Mentor
satellite. Mentor spacecraft are used for electronic signals intelligence, and carry large antennae to enable them to intercept radio transmissions. These antennae are believed to have a diameter of around 100 metres (328.1 ft). Bruce A. Carlson
, the director of the NRO, described the spacecraft as being the largest satellite ever launched.
USA-223 was launched by United Launch Alliance
, aboard a Delta IV Heavy carrier rocket flying from Space Launch Complex 37B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
. The launch occurred at 22:58 UTC on 21 November 2010. Following liftoff the rocket flew East towards a geosynchronous orbit
. By 23:05 UTC, official updates on the status of the launch had been discontinued.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
reconnaissance satellite which was launched in 2010. It is operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office
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:...
.
Whilst details of its mission are officially classified, amateur observers have identified USA-223 as the fifth Mentor
Mentor (satellite)
MENTOR, sometimes called Advanced Orion by observers, is reportedly a code-name for a class of United States spy satellites that collect signals intelligence from space...
satellite. Mentor spacecraft are used for electronic signals intelligence, and carry large antennae to enable them to intercept radio transmissions. These antennae are believed to have a diameter of around 100 metres (328.1 ft). Bruce A. Carlson
Bruce A. Carlson
Bruce Allen Carlson is the current Director, National Reconnaissance Office. He was a former four-star general in the United States Air Force and served as the sixth Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio...
, the director of the NRO, described the spacecraft as being the largest satellite ever launched.
USA-223 was launched by United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. U.S...
, aboard a Delta IV Heavy carrier rocket flying from Space Launch Complex 37B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is an installation of the United States Air Force Space Command's 45th Space Wing, headquartered at nearby Patrick Air Force Base. Located on Cape Canaveral in the state of Florida, CCAFS is the primary launch head of America's Eastern Range with four launch pads...
. The launch occurred at 22:58 UTC on 21 November 2010. Following liftoff the rocket flew East towards a 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...
. By 23:05 UTC, official updates on the status of the launch had been discontinued.