| Auto: | all |
| USA-215 | |
| Names List: | NRO Launch 41 NROL-41 Gladys |
| Mission Type: | Imaging radar |
| Operator: | National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) |
| Cospar Id: | 2010-046A |
| Satcat: | 37162 |
| Spacecraft Type: | FIA Radar |
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed Martin |
| Launch Date: | 21 September 2010, 04:03:30 UTC |
| Launch Rocket: | Atlas V 501 s/n AV-025 |
| Launch Site: | Vandenberg, SLC-3E |
| Launch Contractor: | United Launch Alliance (ULA) |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric orbit |
| Orbit Regime: | Low Earth orbit (retrograde) |
| Orbit Inclination: | 122.99° |
| Orbit Period: | 107.35 minutes |
| Apsis: | gee |
USA-215, also known as NRO Launch 41 or NROL-41, is an American reconnaissance satellite, operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Launched in 2010, it has been identified as the first in a new series of imaging radar satellites, developed as part of the Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) programme,[1] to replace the earlier Lacrosse spacecraft.
USA-215 was launched by an Atlas V launch vehicle, flying in the 501 configuration, operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA). The rocket was launched from Space Launch Complex 3E at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, at 04:03:30 UTC on 21 September 2010.[2] It was identified as NRO Launch 41, and was the twenty-third flight of an Atlas V; the vehicle had the tail number AV-025, and was named Gladys.[3]
The satellite's orbit and mission are officially classified; however, it has been located by amateur observers in a retrograde low Earth orbit. As of 14 February 2021, it was in an orbit with a perigee of, an apogee of and 122.99° of orbital inclination.[4]