RPP 1

Spacecraft n°:

US spacecraft n°:

Launch data:

Spacecraft data:

Mission details:

• RPP (Rapid Pathfinder Program) is a secret technological development satellite of the NRO.
• The NRO is keeping quiet on the mission's specifics, but the agency says it is part of a science and technology development effort to lay the groundwork for future systems.
• A Minotaur I carrier rocket was used to launch USA-225, flying from Space Launch Complex 8 of the Vandenberg Air Force Base. The launch of was originally scheduled for March 2011, however it was subsequently moved forwards to 5 February. During the attempt to launch on 5 February 2011, a transmitter malfunctioned, and the launch attempt was scrubbed. Another attempt was scheduled for the next day. At 12:26 on 6 February 2011, the Minotaur lifted off, carrying USA-225 into orbit. The launch was conducted by Orbital Sciences Corporation.
• No details are available; it presumably ended up in a polar orbit between 500 and 1500 km.