Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
23:37:00
Wednesday April 24, 1996
Watch Replay
24/7 Coverage
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
Agency
LockheedRocket
Height: 63m
Liftoff Thrust
14,200 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 5.1m
Stages
3
Strap-ons
2
16th
Mission
1st
Mission of 1996
27th
Orbital launch attempt