Mercury-15 (USA-118)

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

23:37:00

Wednesday April 24, 1996

Watch Replay

24/7 Coverage

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

Rocket

Retired
Titan IV(401)A

Active 1994 to 1998

Lockheed Martin logo

Agency

Lockheed

Rocket

Height: 63m

Liftoff Thrust

14,200 Kilonewtons

Fairing

Diameter: 5.1m

Stages

3

Strap-ons

2

Launch Site

SLC-41

Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Fastest Turnaround

15 days 22 hours

Stats

Titan IV


16th

Mission

1st

Mission of 1996

1996


27th

Orbital launch attempt