USA-225

USA-225

NROL-66, carrying advanced dosimeters, during ground processing
Operator	NRO
Mission type	Technology
Launch date	6 February 2011 12:26 UTC
Carrier rocket	Minotaur I SLV-10
Launch site	Vandenberg SLC-8
COSPAR ID	2011-006A
Orbital elements
Regime	Low Earth

USA-225, also known as the Rapid Pathfinder Prototype (RPP) and NRO Launch 66 (NROL-66), is an American satellite which was launched in 2011. The satellite is being used to perform technology demonstration and development experiments, including advanced dosimeters to characterize the space environment from a 1,200 kilometer low Earth orbit.^[1] It is operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office.^[2]

Rapid Pathfinder was developed for less than US$ 20 million over a period of less than two years. Its dimensions are 0.5 m times 0.5 m times 0.5 m, and its mass including payload is 235 kg.^[1]

A Minotaur I carrier rocket was used to launch USA-225, flying from Space Launch Complex 8 of the Vandenberg Air Force Base. The launch of was originally scheduled for March 2011, however it was subsequently moved forwards to 5 February.^[3] During the attempt to launch on 5 February 2011, a transmitter malfunctioned, and the launch attempt was scrubbed. Another attempt was scheduled for the next day. At 12:26 on 6 February 2011, the Minotaur lifted off, carrying USA-225 into orbit.^[4] The launch was conducted by Orbital Sciences Corporation.

For launch, the RPP satellite was given the designation NRO Launch 66, or NROL-66. Upon reaching orbit it was named USA-225 in accordance with the usual naming system for American military spacecraft. The satellite received the International Designator 2011-006A, and the Satellite Catalog Number 37364.^[5]

See also

• STEX

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Carlson, Bruce (8 August 2011). "NRO’s Historical, Current, and Potential Use of Small Satellites". NRO. http://www.nro.gov/news/speeches/2011/2011-01.pdf. Retrieved 26 August 2011. 
2. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "RPP". Gunter's Space Page. http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/rpp.htm. Retrieved 9 February 2011. 
3. ^ "Launch Log". Tracking Station. Spaceflight Now. http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/launchlog.html. Retrieved 9 February 2011. 
4. ^ Clark, Stephen (6 February 2011). "Classified satellite climbs to space on Minotaur rocket". Spaceflight Now. http://www.spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/nrol66/index.html. Retrieved 9 February 2011. 
5. ^ "USA 225 Satellite details 2011-006A NORAD 37364". N2YO. http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=37364. Retrieved 9 February 2011.