USA-223

USA-223

Operator	US NRO
Bus	Mentor
Mission type	ELINT
Launch date	21 November 2010 22:58 UTC[1]
Carrier rocket	Delta IV Heavy D351
Launch site	Cape Canaveral SLC-37B
COSPAR ID	2010-063A
Orbital elements
Regime	Geosynchronous

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 (330 ft).^[2] Bruce A. Carlson, the director of the NRO, described the spacecraft as being the largest satellite ever launched.^[3]

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.^[1] 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.^[4]

See also

• USA-202

References

1. ^ ^{a b} McDowell, Jonathan. "Issue 635". Jonathan's Space Report. http://www.planet4589.org/space/jsr/latest.html. Retrieved 24 November 2010. 
2. ^ Ray, Justin (17 November 2010). "Essential U.S. Spy Satellite Launching Friday". Space.com. http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/new-american-spy-satellite-launching-thursday-101117.html. Retrieved 24 November 2010. 
3. ^ Harwood, William (21 November 2010). "Delta 4 rocket blasts off with classified NRO satellite". Spaceflight Now. http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d351/. Retrieved 24 November 2010. 
4. ^ Ray, Justin. "Mission Status Center". Delta Mission Report. Spaceflight Now. http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d351/status.html. Retrieved 24 November 2010.