USA-353
American SIGINT satellite
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
USA-353 (also known Orion-12 and NROL-70) is an American SIGINT reconnaissance satellite which is operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched in April 2024, it is the secret Orion satellite.[1][2][3][4][5]
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Launch of USA-353 | |
| Mission type | SIGINT |
|---|---|
| Operator | NRO/CIA |
| COSPAR ID | 2024-067A |
| SATCAT no. | 59453 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Orion |
| Manufacturer | Northrop Grumman |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 09 April 2024 16:53 UTC |
| Rocket | Delta IV Heavy (D-389) |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral, SLC-37B |
| Contractor | United Launch Alliance |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geosynchronous orbit |
| |
Overview
The satellite launched on the final Delta IV Heavy and Delta (rocket family) mission, ending the family's decades of service to US national security missions.[6][7][8][9][10][11]
Orion also known as Mentor is a SIGINT/ELINT satellite build to replace Magnum satellite[12] and the COMINT capability also made Orion a replacement for the Mercury satellite.[13] It is called that the satellite has a reflector of a diameter as big as ~100m[1][14]
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