NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

NOSS-3 2A & 2B (USA-173) (NROL-18)

Launch Time
Tue Dec 02, 2003 10:04 UTC

Rocket

Atlas IIAS
Image Credit: USAF or NASA
Lockheed
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 2,957 kN
Payload to LEO: 8,618 kg
Payload to GTO: 3,933 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 4
Rocket Height: 47.5 m

Mission Details

NOSS-3 2A & 2B (USA-173) (NROL-18)

NOSS-3 (Naval Ocean Surveillance System), which is likely not the official designation, is the third generation of NOSS satellites, which are low orbit SIGINT satellites. In 2013, the designation Intruder leaked out. These satellites carry equipment to track ships and aircraft via their radio transmissions. Positions of the origin of the transmissions are determined by triangulation. Each launch consists of two satellites of similar size in the same orbit. Both satellites maneuver to stationkeep relative to one another.

Payloads: 2

Location

SLC-3E, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Stats

2003

56th orbital launch attempt

Atlas II

59th mission
1st mission of 2003
59th successful mission