USA-215

{{Infobox spaceflight

| auto = all

| name = USA-215

| names_list = NRO Launch 41
NROL-41
Gladys

| image = NROL-41 Mission Patch.png

| image_caption =

| image_size = 300px

| mission_type = Imaging radar

| operator = National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

| COSPAR_ID = 2010-046A

| SATCAT = 37162

| website =

| mission_duration =

| spacecraft_type = FIA Radar

| manufacturer = Lockheed Martin

| launch_mass =

| dimensions =

| power =

| launch_date = 21 September 2010,
04:03:30 UTC

| launch_rocket = Atlas V 501 s/n AV-025

| launch_site = Vandenberg, SLC-3E

| launch_contractor = United Launch Alliance (ULA)

| disposal_type =

| deactivated =

| last_contact =

| decay_date =

| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit

| orbit_regime = Low Earth orbit (retrograde)

| orbit_periapsis = {{cvt|1103|km}}

| orbit_apoapsis = {{cvt|1105|km}}

| orbit_inclination = 122.99°

| orbit_period = 107.35 minutes

| apsis = gee

}}

USA-215, also known as NRO Launch 41 or NROL-41, is an American reconnaissance satellite, operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Launched in 2010, it has been identified as the first in a new series of imaging radar satellites, developed as part of the Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) programme,{{cite web |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/topaz-1.htm|title=Topaz 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (FIA-Radar 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|date=11 December 2020|access-date=10 March 2021}} to replace the earlier Lacrosse spacecraft.

Launch

USA-215 was launched by an Atlas V launch vehicle, flying in the 501 configuration, operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA). The rocket was launched from Space Launch Complex 3E at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, at 04:03:30 UTC on 21 September 2010.{{cite web|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av025/status.html|title=Atlas Launch Report - Mission Status Center|first=Justin|last=Ray|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=21 September 2010|access-date=10 March 2021}} It was identified as NRO Launch 41, and was the twenty-third flight of an Atlas V; the vehicle had the tail number AV-025, and was named Gladys.{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/nrol.htm|title=NROL launches|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|date=21 December 2020|access-date=10 March 2021}}

Mission

The satellite's orbit and mission are officially classified; however, it has been located by amateur observers in a retrograde low Earth orbit. As of 14 February 2021, it was in an orbit with a perigee of {{cvt|1103|km}}, an apogee of {{cvt|1105|km}} and 122.99° of orbital inclination.{{cite web|url=https://www.heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=37162|title=USA 215 - Orbit|publisher=Heavens Above|date=14 February 2021|access-date=10 March 2021}}

References

Category:Spacecraft launched in 2010

Category:National Reconnaissance Office satellites

Category:USA satellites

Category:Space synthetic aperture radar