USA-207
| Operator | Classified |
|---|---|
| Major contractors | Lockheed Martin[1] ULA (LSP) |
| Bus | A2100 |
| Mission type | Communications |
| Launch date | 8 September 2009 21:35 GMT |
| Carrier rocket | Atlas V 401 |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral SLC-41 |
USA-207,[2] international COSPAR code 2009-047A,[3] also known as PAN, officially meaning Palladium At Night,[4] or P360[5] is a classified American communications satellite,[6] which was launched in September 2009. The US government has not confirmed which of its intelligence agencies will operate the satellite.[7] The spacecraft was constructed by Lockheed Martin, and is based on the A2100 satellite bus,[4] using commercial off-the-shelf components.[5] The contract to build PAN was awarded in October 2006, with the satellite initially scheduled to launch 30 months later, in March 2009.[8]
PAN was launched by United Launch Alliance using an Atlas V 401 carrier rocket, with the serial number AV-018. The launch, from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, occurred at 21:35 GMT on 8 September 2009, at the start of a 129 minute launch window.[9] PAN successfully separated from the rocket just under two hours after liftoff.[10]
PAN has shown an unusual history of frequent relocations, moving between at least 8 different orbital slots since launch: as of January 2013 it is located at 42.5 deg E.,[11] over East Africa.
References [edit]
- ^ Ray, Justin (2009-07-09). "Atlas rocket team continues active year of launches". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
- ^ McDowell, Jonathan (2009-09-10). "Issue 615". Jonathan's Space Report. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
- ^ "Spacewarn Bulletin Issue 671". NASA NSSDC. 2009-09-30. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
- ^ a b Day, Dwayne (2009-08-24). "PAN’s labyrinth". The Space Review. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
- ^ a b "New Horizons". Lockheed Martin. December 2007. p. 7 (5 of PDF). Retrieved 2009-09-06.
- ^ US Air Force 45th Space Wing (2009-09-04). "Atlas V set for Cape Launch Sept. 8". Florida Today. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ^ Covault, Craig (2009-05-26). "Secret PAN satellite leads Cape milspace launch surge". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
- ^ "Highlights". Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. Spring 2007. pp. 28 (29 of PDF). Retrieved 2009-09-06.
- ^ Clark, Stephen. "Worldwide Launch Schedule". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
- ^ Malik, Tariq (2009-08-30). "Atlas 5 Rocket to Secret Satellite [sic]". Space.com. Archived from the original on 2009-08-31. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
- ^ "SatTrackCam". Retrieved 2013-04-23.
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