NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Orion 6 (USA-202) (NROL-26)

Launch Time
Sun Jan 18, 2009 02:47 UTC

Rocket

Delta IV Heavy
Image Credit: ULA
ULA
Status: Retired
Price: $350.0 million
Liftoff Thrust: 9,411 kN
Payload to LEO: 28,370 kg
Payload to GTO: 13,810 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 2
Rocket Height: 72.0 m
Fairing Diameter: 5.1 m
Fairing Height: 19.1 m

Mission Details

Orion 6 (USA-202) (NROL-26)

USA 202, previously NRO Launch 26 or NROL-26, is a classified spacecraft which is operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office. It is an Advanced Orion ELINT satellite. According to Aviation Week, it "fundamentally involves America's biggest, most secret and expensive military spacecraft on board the world's largest rocket." The combined cost of the spacecraft and launch vehicle has been estimated to be over US$2 billion.

Payloads: 1
Geostationary Earth Orbit

Location

SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Stats

2009

1st orbital launch attempt

United Launch Alliance

22nd mission
1st mission of 2009
21st successful mission
17th consecutive successful mission

Delta IV Heavy

3rd mission
1st mission of 2009
2nd successful mission
2nd consecutive successful mission