United Launch AllianceDelta IV M+(5,2)Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

NROL-25 (FIA-R) (USA-234)

Launched

April 3, 2012

Launch Successful

Delta IV M+(5,2) | NROL-25 (FIA-R) (USA-234) Patch

Image: United Launch Alliance

Summary

NROL-25 (USA-234) launched on an United Launch Alliance Delta IV M+(5,2) from Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on April 3, 2012. It was United Launch Alliance's 60th launch, 3rd this year and humanity's 5,204th orbital launch attempt. It was the 1st Delta IV M+(5,2) flight. The payload was bound for low Earth orbit (LEO). One object from this launch is catalogued.

Watch: Delta IV NROL-25 Launch HighlightsUnited Launch Alliance
Vehicle: Delta IV M+(5,2) · United Launch Alliance
Booster: No booster details on record.
Mission: Government/Top Secret · Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Milestone: 1st Delta IV M+(5,2) flightUnited Launch Alliance's 60th launch3rd this yearhumanity's 5,204th orbital launch attempt14th orbital launch attempt this year

Flight preview

Catalogued objects

1 catalogued: 1 payload; 1 still in orbit

USA 234 · NORAD 38109 · in orbit

Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org

About this launch

NROL-25 was a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload designated USA-234, believed to be a synthetic-aperture-radar reconnaissance satellite of the Future Imagery Architecture programme, launched into a retrograde low Earth orbit.

Pad

Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

8th launch from Space Launch Complex 6, 1st this year · 651st from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

14 launches from this pad · 919 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

439 days after the previous launch from this pad

All launches from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA Open in maps

Questions

When did NROL-25 (USA-234) launch?

NROL-25 (USA-234) launched on April 3, 2012. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.

Where can I watch NROL-25 (USA-234)?

Coverage: Delta IV NROL-25 Launch Highlights. Watch the replay

What rocket launched NROL-25 (USA-234)?

Delta IV M+(5,2), flown by United Launch Alliance. Delta IV M+(5,2) spec sheet

Where did NROL-25 (USA-234) launch from?

Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.

What orbit was NROL-25 (USA-234) going to?

Low Earth Orbit (LEO), a government/top secret mission.

How many satellites did NROL-25 (USA-234) launch?

1 payload from this launch is catalogued, still in orbit (Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org).