USA 137

Also called: Capricorn, SDS-3 1 (Satellite Data System) & NROL-5

Designation	25148 / 98005A
Launch date	29 Jan 1998
Launch site	CC, LC-36A
Launch vehicle	Atlas-IIA (AC-109 #113)
Mission	Military: Communications (Capricorn / SDS 3)
HEO Earth orbit:
Perigee / Apogee	794 x 39600 km
Eccentricity	7,30E-01
Inclination	63.4 deg
Period	718.59 min

Prime manufacturer	Hughes
Platform
Operator	National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)/US Air Force
Mass at launch	kg
Dry Mass	kg
Basic shape
Dimension (m)
Equipment
Solar array
Stabilization
Propulsion
DC power	1238 W
Design lifetime	7-10 yrs

Out of service:	31 July 2012
Cause:

It may be a follow-on to the SDS communications data relay satellites used to pass on spy satellite imaging data, and may also have either infrared missile warning or signals intelligence secondary payloads aboard. Another theory is that it may be the COBRA BRASS payload for infrared early warning satellite technology development, which was announced as due to fly this year.
It is believed that Capricorn's ground station is the Defense complexe known as Area 58 located 20 miles south of Washington D.C.

Ref: #226 - update: 15.10.12