Status
Failure
Mercury-17 (NROL-7)
Launch Time
Wed Aug 12, 1998 11:30 UTC
Wed Aug 12, 1998 11:30 UTC
Final flight of Titan IV-A. Electrical short reset the guidance computer, resulting in an erroneous pitch down maneuver and vehicle breakup at T+40 seconds.
Rocket
Mission Details
Mercury-17 (NROL-7)
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
1998
48th orbital launch attempt
Titan IV
25th mission
2nd mission of 1998
2nd failed mission