Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
03:08:00
Tuesday January 31, 1984
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This launch used a transtage upper stage.
Vortex, previously known as Chalet, was a class of spy satellite operated by the United States during the 1980s and 1990s to collect signals intelligence (SIGINT) from high Earth orbit. The Vortex satellites were operated by the National Reconnaissance Office for the United States Air Force and listened to radio transmissions originating from Earth or space. The intercepted data is believed to have been fed into and analyzed by the National Security Agency ECHELON system.
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
1 Payload
1,800 kilograms
Agency
Martin MariettaRocket
Height: 50m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 14,515 kg
GTO: 5,000 kg
Liftoff Thrust
11,279 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 3.05m
Stages
3
Strap-ons
2
136th
Mission
1st
Mission of 1984
9th
Orbital launch attempt