Status
Success
Mercury-15 (USA-118)
Launch Time
Wed Apr 24, 1996 23:37 UTC
Wed Apr 24, 1996 23:37 UTC
Rocket
Mission Details
Mercury-15 (USA-118)
The Mercury (MC) series, although known to the public as 'Advanced Vortex', are the latest generation of USAF ELINT/SIGINT satellites. They were focussed on communications intelligence (COMINT), focused at strategic level communications, but had the capability added to intercept also missile telemetry. These satellites were launched under the designation Mission 7500 and were part of NRO's Program A.
Geostationary Earth Orbit
Location
SLC-41, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA
Stats
1996
27th orbital launch attempt
Titan IV
16th mission
1st mission of 1996
15th successful mission
9th consecutive successful mission