Status
Success
Rocket
Mission Details
Orion 8 (USA-237) (NROL-15)
The Orion 5 - 9 (RIO 5 - 9) satellites, which are generally known as 'Advanced Orion' or 'Mentor', are geostationary signals intelligence satellites, which replaced the earlier Mission 7600 Magnum / Orion series. Their purpose is to intercept missile telemetry from Russia and China and the COMINT capability of the Mission 7500 Mercury satellites was merged into this series. These satellites are launched under the designation Mission 8300.
Payloads: 1
Geosynchronous Orbit
Location
SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA
Stats
2012
36th orbital launch attempt
United Launch Alliance
62nd mission
6th mission of 2012
61st successful mission
57th consecutive successful mission
Delta IV Heavy
6th mission
1st mission of 2012
5th successful mission
5th consecutive successful mission