(USA-193) (NROL-21)

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

21:00:00

Thursday December 14, 2006

Watch Replay

Official Livestream

Mission Details

(USA-193) (NROL-21)

Wiki

USA-193, also known as NROL-21 21, was a U.S. military reconnaissance satellite (radar imaging) launched on 14 December 2006. It was the first launch conducted by the United Launch Alliance. Owned by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the craft's precise function and purpose were classified. The satellite malfunctioned shortly after deployment and was intentionally destroyed 14 months later on 21 February 2008 by a modified SM-3 missile fired from the warship USS Lake Erie, stationed west of Hawaii. The event highlighted growing distrust between the U.S. and China, and was viewed by some to be part of a wider "space race" involving the U.S., China, and Russia. It was the first launch by United Launch Alliance since it was formed in December 2006, and the first Delta II launch since ULA acquisition.

Low Earth Orbit

1 Payload

2,268 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Delta II 7920-10C

Active 1997 to 2017

United Launch Alliance logo

Agency

ULA

Rocket

Height: 38.9m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 4,844 kg

Liftoff Thrust

3,511 Kilonewtons

Fairing

Diameter: 3m

Height: 8.9m

Stages

2

Strap-ons

9

Launch Site

SLC-2W

Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Fastest Turnaround

13 days 1 hour

Stats

Delta II


126th

Mission

6th

Mission of 2006

United Launch Alliance


1st

Mission

2nd

Mission of 2006

2006


60th

Orbital launch attempt