USA-353

USA-353
Launch of USA-353
Mission typeSIGINT
OperatorNRO/CIA
COSPAR ID2024-067A
SATCAT no.59453Edit this on Wikidata
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeOrion
ManufacturerNorthrop Grumman
Start of mission
Launch date09 April 2024 16:53 UTC
RocketDelta IV Heavy (D-389)
Launch siteCape Canaveral, SLC-37B
ContractorUnited Launch Alliance
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeosynchronous orbit

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]

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]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Orion 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "Orion 12 (USA-353) (NROL-70) | Delta IV Heavy | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  3. ↑ "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches the Penultimate Delta IV Heavy Rocket". www.ulalaunch.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "Delta IV Heavy NROL-68". www.ulalaunch.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  5. ↑ "Orion 12 (USA-353) (NROL-70) | Delta IV Heavy | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "> Launches > launch-nrol-70". www.nro.gov. Archived from the original on 4 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  7. ↑ Tingley, Brett (28 March 2024). "Watch United Launch Alliance launch its final Delta Heavy IV rocket today in this free livestream". Space. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  8. ↑ Percival, Claire (26 March 2024). "NROL-70 | Delta IV Heavy". Everyday Astronaut. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  9. ↑ "NROL-70 – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  10. ↑ "NROL-70 - AmericaSpace". www.americaspace.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  11. ↑ Graham, William (9 April 2024). "Delta IV Heavy launches on final mission". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  12. ↑ "Orion 1, 2 (Magnum 1, 2)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  13. ↑ "Mercury 14, 15, 16 ('Advanced Vortex 1, 2, 3')". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
  14. ↑ "Advanced Orion". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
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