Orion 8 (USA-237) (NROL-15)

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

13:15:00

Friday June 29, 2012

Watch Replay

Official Livestream

Mission Details

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Orion 8 (USA-237) (NROL-15)

The Orion 5 - 9 (RIO 5 - 9) satellites, which are generally known as 'Advanced Orion' or 'Mentor', are geostationary signals intelligence satellites, which replaced the earlier Mission 7600 Magnum / Orion series. Their purpose is to intercept missile telemetry from Russia and China and the COMINT capability of the Mission 7500 Mercury satellites was merged into this series. These satellites are launched under the designation Mission 8300.

Geosynchronous Orbit

1 Payload

Rocket

Retired
Delta IV Heavy

Active 2004 to 2024

United Launch Alliance logo

Agency

ULA

Price

$350.00 million

Rocket

Height: 72m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 28,370 kg

GTO: 13,810 kg

Liftoff Thrust

9,411 Kilonewtons

Fairing

Diameter: 5.1m

Height: 19.1m

Stages

2

Strap-ons

2

Launch Site

SLC-37B

Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Fastest Turnaround

66 days 5 hours

Stats

Delta IV Heavy


6th

Mission

1st

Mission of 2012

United Launch Alliance


62nd

Mission

6th

Mission of 2012

2012


36th

Orbital launch attempt