USA 202,[1] previously NRO Launch 26 or NROL-26, is a classified spacecraft which is to be operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office. It is believed to be either the first Intruder, or an Advanced Orion, ELINT satellite. According to Aviation Week it, "Fundamentally involves America's biggest, most secret and expensive military spacecraft on board the world's largest rocket."[2] The combined cost of the spacecraft and launch vehicle has been estimated to be over US$2 billion.[2]
Launch [edit]
USA-202 was launched from Space Launch Complex 37B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, on the third flight of a Delta IV Heavy rocket. The launch was originally scheduled for 2005, but was delayed due to a number of issues, and lift-off took place at 02:47 GMT on 18 January 2009.[3]
The USA 202 together with
Thuraya 2 satellite in orbit
USA-202 is in a geostationary orbit at longitude 44°E, replacing its predecessor USA-139. It thus covers East Africa, the Middle East, and western Russia.[4]
References [edit]
External links [edit]
 US reconnaissance satellites |
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Secondary mission
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Research and
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Primary mission
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Secondary mission
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Payloads are separated by bullets ( · ), launches by pipes ( | ). Manned flights are indicated in bold text. Uncatalogued launch failures are listed in italics. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are denoted in brackets.
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