NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

SHARP 1 (USA-250) (NROL-67)

Launch Time
Thu Apr 10, 2014 17:45 UTC

Rocket

Atlas V 541
Image Credit: ULA
ULA
Status: Retired
Price: $145.0 million
Liftoff Thrust: 10,478 kN
Payload to LEO: 17,410 kg
Payload to GTO: 8,290 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 4
Rocket Height: 62.2 m
Fairing Diameter: 5.4 m
Fairing Height: 26.5 m

Mission Details

SHARP 1 (USA-250) (NROL-67)

This series of satellites is likely a new series of geostationary ELINT/SIGINT satellites.

Likely they consist of a large antenna and are three axis stabilized. Leaked NRO bugets documents identfy the SHARP (SIGINT High Altitude Replenishment Program) program, which could also be a possibility for this payload. These satellites might otherwise represent a next generation of the Orion satellites. Another possibility is a geostationary version of the Trumpet Follow-On series.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

Location

SLC-41, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Stats

2014

20th orbital launch attempt

United Launch Alliance

81st mission
4th mission of 2014
80th successful mission
76th consecutive successful mission

Atlas V

45th mission
3rd mission of 2014
44th successful mission
35th consecutive successful mission