USA-227
Encyclopedia
USA-227, known before launch as NRO Launch 27 (NROL-27), is an American
communications satellite
which was launched in 2011. It is operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office
.
Whilst details of its mission are officially classified, amateur observers have identified USA-227 as being a third-generation Satellite Data System
satellite in geosynchronous orbit
. The first amateur observation of the satellite was made on 6 April 2011, when the spacecraft was located at a longitude
of 30.4 degrees west. SDS satellites are used to relay data from American reconnaissance satellites to ground stations.
United Launch Alliance
performed the launch of USA-227, using a Delta IV-M+(4,2) carrier rocket flying from Space Launch Complex 37B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
. The launch occurred at 23:38 UTC on 11 March 2011. Following liftoff the rocket flew east, placing the satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. By 23:43 UTC, official updates on the status of the launch had been discontinued.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
communications satellite
Communications satellite
A communications satellite is an artificial satellite stationed in space for the purpose of telecommunications...
which was launched in 2011. It is operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office
National Reconnaissance Office
The National Reconnaissance Office , located in Chantilly, Virginia, is one of the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies. It designs, builds, and operates the spy satellites of the United States government.-Mission:...
.
Whilst details of its mission are officially classified, amateur observers have identified USA-227 as being a third-generation Satellite Data System
Satellite Data System
The Satellite Data System is a system of United States military communications satellites. At least three generations have been used: SDS-1 from 1976 to 1987; SDS-2 from 1989 to 1996; SDS-3 from 1998 to the present...
satellite in geosynchronous orbit
Geosynchronous orbit
A geosynchronous orbit is an orbit around the Earth with an orbital period that matches the Earth's sidereal rotation period...
. The first amateur observation of the satellite was made on 6 April 2011, when the spacecraft was located at a longitude
Longitude
Longitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface. It is an angular measurement, usually expressed in degrees, minutes and seconds, and denoted by the Greek letter lambda ....
of 30.4 degrees west. SDS satellites are used to relay data from American reconnaissance satellites to ground stations.
United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. U.S...
performed the launch of USA-227, using a Delta IV-M+(4,2) carrier rocket flying from Space Launch Complex 37B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is an installation of the United States Air Force Space Command's 45th Space Wing, headquartered at nearby Patrick Air Force Base. Located on Cape Canaveral in the state of Florida, CCAFS is the primary launch head of America's Eastern Range with four launch pads...
. The launch occurred at 23:38 UTC on 11 March 2011. Following liftoff the rocket flew east, placing the satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. By 23:43 UTC, official updates on the status of the launch had been discontinued.