USA-268 | |
Mission Type: | Signals intelligence |
Operator: | National Reconnaissance Office |
Cospar Id: | 2016-036A |
Satcat: | 41584 |
Spacecraft Type: | Advanced Orion |
Launch Date: | UTC |
Launch Rocket: | Delta IV Heavy |
Launch Site: | Cape Canaveral SLC-37B |
Orbit Reference: | Geocentric |
Orbit Regime: | Geostationary |
Orbit Periapsis: | 35587km (22,113miles) |
Orbit Apoapsis: | 36002km (22,371miles) |
Orbit Semimajor: | 42165km (26,200miles) |
Orbit Inclination: | 6.3 degrees |
Orbit Period: | 1436.1 minutes |
Apsis: | gee |
Auto: | all |
USA-268, also known as NROL-37, is an American signals intelligence satellite. Though officially classified, it is presumed to be an Advanced Orion satellite, making it one of the largest and most expensive satellites ever built.
USA-268 was launched at 17:51 UTC on June 11, 2016 from Space Launch Complex 37B, on its second attempt. It was the ninth flight of a Delta IV Heavy, and the fifth carrying an Advanced Orion.