NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Orion 9 (USA-268) (NROL-37)

Launch Time
Sat Jun 11, 2016 17:51 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 9 (USA-268) (NROL-37)

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.

Payloads: 1
Geosynchronous Orbit

Location

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

Stats

2016

36th orbital launch attempt

United Launch Alliance

107th mission
4th mission of 2016
106th successful mission
102nd consecutive successful mission

Delta IV Heavy

9th mission
1st mission of 2016
8th successful mission
8th consecutive successful mission