USA-229

{{Infobox spaceflight

| name = USA-229

| names_list = NROL-34
NRO Launch 34
NOSS-3 5A and 5B
Intruder 9A and 9B

| image =

| image_caption =

| image_size =

| mission_type = SIGINT

| operator = United States NRO

| COSPAR_ID = 2011-014A

| SATCAT = 37386 and 37391

| website =

| mission_duration =

| spacecraft = NOSS-3 5 (3rd Generation)

| spacecraft_type = Intruder

| spacecraft_bus = NOSS-3

| manufacturer = Lockheed Martin

| launch_mass = 3250 kg (each)

| dry_mass =

| dimensions =

| power =

| launch_date = 15 April 2011, at 04:24 UTC

| launch_rocket = Atlas V 411 (AV-027)

| launch_site = Vandenberg, SLC-3E

| launch_contractor = ULA

| entered_service =

| disposal_type =

| deactivated =

| destroyed =

| last_contact =

| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit

| orbit_regime = Low Earth orbit

| orbit_periapsis = 1015 km

| orbit_apoapsis = 1207 km

| orbit_inclination = 63.46°

| orbit_period =

| apsis = gee

| insignia =

| insignia_caption =

| insignia_size =

| programme = Naval Ocean Surveillance System

| previous_mission = USA-194

| next_mission = USA-238

}}

USA-229, known before launch as NRO Launch 34 (NROL-34), is a pair of American signals intelligence satellites which were launched in 2011. They are operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office.

Both satellites were deployed by a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 launch vehicle, which launched from SLC-3E at the Vandenberg Air Force Base. The launch occurred at 04:24 UTC on 15 April 2011.{{cite web|url=https://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.640.txt|title=Issue 640|first=Jonathan|last=McDowell|work=Jonathan's Space Report|access-date=24 April 2011}} The rocket placed the satellites into a low Earth orbit. By 04:29 UTC, official updates on the status of the spacecraft had been discontinued.{{cite web |last=Ray|first=Justin|title=Mission Status Center|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av027/status.html|publisher=Spaceflight Now|access-date=24 April 2011}}

Whilst details of the satellites and their missions are officially classified, amateur observers have identified that the Atlas V deployed two satellites, one of which has officially been catalogued as debris. The two spacecraft have been identified as being a pair of third or fourth generation Naval Ocean Surveillance System satellites.{{cite web|url=http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2011/0207.html |title=NROL-34 - NOSS 3-5 pair spotted tonight from Austin, Texas|first=Molczan|last=Ted|publisher=Satobs|date=17 April 2011|access-date=24 April 2011}} Amateur observations have located the spacecraft in an orbit with a perigee of {{convert|1015|km}} and an apogee of {{convert|1207|km}}, inclined at 63.46° to the plane of the equator. Current generation NOSS satellites are always launched and operated in pairs,{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/noss-3.htm|title=NOSS-3|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|work=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=24 April 2011}} and are used to locate and track ships and aircraft from the radio transmissions that they emit.{{cite web|last=Ray|first=Justin|title=Observers confirm identity of last week's Atlas payload |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av027/status.html|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=18 April 2011|access-date=24 April 2011}}