United Launch AllianceDelta IV M+(4,2)Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

NROL-27 (SDS) (USA-227)

Launched

March 11, 2011

Launch Successful

Delta IV M+(4,2) | NROL-27 (SDS) (USA-227) Patch

Image: United Launch Alliance

Summary

NROL-27 (USA-227) launched on an United Launch Alliance Delta IV M+(4,2) from Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on March 11, 2011. It was United Launch Alliance's 49th launch, 3rd this year and humanity's 5,118th orbital launch attempt. It was the 7th Delta IV M+(4,2) flight and the 1st this year. The payload was bound for Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). 2 objects from this launch are catalogued, one of them a payload.

Watch: Delta IV NROL-27 Launch HighlightsUnited Launch Alliance
Vehicle: Delta IV M+(4,2) · United Launch Alliance
Booster: No booster details on record.
Mission: Government/Top Secret · Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO)
Milestone: 7th Delta IV M+(4,2) flight · 1st this yearUnited Launch Alliance's 49th launch3rd this yearhumanity's 5,118th orbital launch attempt12th orbital launch attempt this year

Flight preview

Catalogued objects

2 catalogued: 1 payload, 1 rocket stage; 1 still in orbit

USA 227 · NORAD 37377 · in orbit

Delta 353 · re-entered April 22, 2024

Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org

About this launch

NROL-27 was a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload, designated USA-227, believed to be a Satellite Data System relay spacecraft launched toward geosynchronous orbit.

Pad

Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

20th launch from Space Launch Complex 37B, 1st this year · 678th from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

40 launches from this pad · 1,131 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

110 days after the previous launch from this pad

All launches from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA Open in maps

Questions

When did NROL-27 (USA-227) launch?

NROL-27 (USA-227) launched on March 11, 2011. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.

Where can I watch NROL-27 (USA-227)?

Coverage: Delta IV NROL-27 Launch Highlights. Watch the replay

What rocket launched NROL-27 (USA-227)?

Delta IV M+(4,2), flown by United Launch Alliance. Delta IV M+(4,2) spec sheet

Where did NROL-27 (USA-227) launch from?

Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.

What orbit was NROL-27 (USA-227) going to?

Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), a government/top secret mission.

How many satellites did NROL-27 (USA-227) launch?

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