USA-245
 Launch of USA-245 | |
| Mission type | Optical imaging |
|---|---|
| Operator | National Reconnaissance Office |
| COSPAR ID | 2013-043A |
| SATCAT no. | 39232 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | KH-11 |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 28 August 2013 18:03:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Delta IV Heavy (Delta 364) |
| Launch site | Vandenberg, SLC-6 |
| Contractor | United Launch Alliance |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Sun-synchronous orbit |
| Slot | West plane |
| Perigee altitude | 276 kilometres (171 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 1,010 kilometres (630 mi) |
| Inclination | 97.86° |
| Period | 97.44 minutes |
| Epoch | 8 January 2015 19:32:46 UTC[1] |
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 Block 4 KH-11 reconnaissance satellite, and the last official spacecraft to be launched in the Keyhole program.[2]
Reconnaissance satellite
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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
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