NOSS-3 4A

Launch data:

Spacecraft data:

Mission details:

• A secret National Reconnaissance Office mission was put in orbit by a Lockheed Martin Atlas V on Jun 15. Atlas mission AV-009 had a problem in the second burn of the Centaur upper stage, leaving the NRO USA-194 spacecraft in a somewhat low, probably elliptical orbit.
• It is believed that two spacecraft were to be deployed into 1150 km altitude, 63 deg inclination orbits. Based on optical observations, the actual orbit is about 776 x 1246 km; the payloads are expected to reach the original planned orbit using on-board propulsion. It's possible that the payloads remain attached to each other until reaching the target orbit. USA-194 is believed to be an NRO/US Navy intelligence mission to monitor and track ships using their radio emissions.
• The magazine Aviation Week & Space Technology reports that the secret spacecraft are two satellites intended to track ships moving at sea, including those that might hint at terrorist activities or Chinese or Iranian naval tactics. They are being launched for the National Reconnaissance Office.