Wednesday, June 28, 2006

US-Russia Launch Military Satellites in Last 3 Days



Satellite Name: NROL-22 (USA-184)
Launching Country: USA
Intl Designator: 2006-27A
SSC Number: 29249
Launch Date: 6-28-2006
Launch Time: 0333 UTC
Launch Vehicle: Delta 4 Medium-Plus
Launch Site: Vandenberg AFB SLC-6
Orbital parameters: High Molniya (12 hour) orbit, inclined 63.0 degrees
Mission: NRO Satellite, a probable SIGINT and data relay




Satellite Name: Cosmos 2421
Launching Country: CIS
Intl Designator: 2006-026A
SSC Number: 29247
Launch Date: 6-25-2006
Launch Time: 0400 UTC
Launch Vehicle: Tsiklon-2 (SL-11)
Launch Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome
Orbital parameters: 415 x 400 km, inclined 65.0 degress
Mission: Sigint - a Russian Navy PU platform for Electronic Ocean Recon (EORSAT). Prime contractor: KB Arsenal
Mass at launch 3150 kg.
Mission Life: Nominal 1 1/2 years

These are two of six military satellites that have been launched by the US and Russia since May 1, 2006.