USA-245

USA-245 or NRO Launch 65 (NROL-65) is an American reconnaissance satellite which is operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched in August 2013, it is the last KH-11 reconnaissance satellite, and the last spacecraft to be launched in the Keyhole program.[2]

USA-245
Mission typeOptical imaging
OperatorNational Reconnaissance Office
COSPAR ID2013-043A
SATCAT no.39232
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeKH-11
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Start of mission
Launch date28 August 2013, 18:03:00 UTC
RocketDelta IV Heavy (Delta 364)
Launch siteVandenberg, SLC-6
ContractorUnited Launch Alliance
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeSun-synchronous orbit
SlotWest plane
Perigee altitude276 km
Apogee altitude1010 km
Inclination97.86°
Period97.44 minutes
Epoch8 January 2015, 19:32:46 UTC[1]
 

Details of USA-245's mission are classified by the US military, however numerous independent analysts identified it as a KH-11 before launch, and amateur satellite watchers have since observed it in the orbit used by such satellites.[3][4]

KH-11 satellites are used to provide high-resolution optical and infrared imagery for US intelligence agencies.[5]

USA-245 was launched by United Launch Alliance, using a Delta IV Heavy rocket[6] with the flight number Delta 364 and the name Victoria. The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 6 at the Vandenberg Air Force Base at 18:03 UTC (11:03 local time) on 28 August 2013.[7] After deploying its payload, the rocket's upper stage was deorbited after completing one orbit.[2] The launch was the first Delta IV mission to use a new ignition sequence aimed at reducing damage to the first stage insulation caused by igniting a cloud of hydrogen around the vehicle at liftoff. To mitigate this, the rocket's starboard engine was lit two seconds earlier than on previous flights.[8]

In 2020, MIT Technology Review reported that USA-245 was likely being "stalked" by a Russian satellite, Kosmos 2542, in a possible attempt to spy on US-245 to deduce its camera aperture and resolution, or its computer functionality and operating times.[9]

References
  1. Peat, Chris (8 January 2015). "USA 245 - Orbit". Heavens-Above. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  2. Graham, William (28 August 2013). "ULA Delta IV-H launches with NROL-65". NASASpaceflight.com. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  3. Molczan, Ted (28 August 2013). "RE: NROL-65 search elements". Seesat-L. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  4. Langbroek, Marco (28 August 2013). "NROL-65 seen". Seesat-L. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  5. Krebs, Gunter. "KH-11 / Kennen / Crystal". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  6. "National Reconnaissance Office Mission Successfully Launches on World's Largest Rocket, the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy". United Launch Alliance. 28 August 2013. Archived from the original on 7 December 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  7. Ray, Justin (28 August 2013). "Delta Launch Report - Mission Status Center". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  8. Ray, Justin (25 August 2013). "America's largest rocket set for launch Wednesday". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  9. Patel, Neel V. (3 February 2020). "A Russian satellite is probably stalking a US spy satellite in orbit". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
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