Orbital Sciences CorporationMinotaur ISpace Launch Complex 8, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

NROL-66 (RPP) (USA-225)

Launched

February 6, 2011

Launch Successful

Image: NASA

Summary

NROL-66 (RPP) (USA-225) launched on an Orbital Sciences Corporation Minotaur I from Space Launch Complex 8, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on February 6, 2011. It was Orbital Sciences Corporation's 60th launch, 1st this year and humanity's 5,112th orbital launch attempt. It was the 9th Minotaur I flight and the 1st this year. The payload was bound for low Earth orbit (LEO). 4 objects from this launch are catalogued, one of them a payload.

Watch: No webcast on record.
Vehicle: Minotaur I · Orbital Sciences Corporation
Booster: No booster details on record.
Mission: Government/Top Secret · Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Milestone: 9th Minotaur I flight · 1st this yearOrbital Sciences Corporation's 60th launch1st this yearhumanity's 5,112th orbital launch attempt6th orbital launch attempt this year

Flight preview

Catalogued objects

4 catalogued: 1 payload, 1 rocket stage, 2 components; 4 still in orbit

USA 225 · NORAD 37364 · in orbit

Minotaur I (9) Stage 4 · in orbit

Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org

About this launch

USA-225, also known as the Rapid Pathfinder Prototype (RPP) and NRO Launch 66 (NROL-66), is an American satellite which was launched in 2011. The satellite is being used to perform technology demonstration and development experiments, including advanced dosimeters to characterize the space environment from a 1,200 kilometer low Earth orbit. It is operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office.

Pad

Space Launch Complex 8, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

7th launch from Space Launch Complex 8, 1st this year · 646th from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

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

133 days after the previous launch from this pad

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

Questions

When did NROL-66 (RPP) (USA-225) launch?

NROL-66 (RPP) (USA-225) launched on February 6, 2011. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.

Where can I watch NROL-66 (RPP) (USA-225)?

No webcast is on record for this launch.

What rocket launched NROL-66 (RPP) (USA-225)?

Minotaur I, flown by Orbital Sciences Corporation. Minotaur I spec sheet

Where did NROL-66 (RPP) (USA-225) launch from?

Space Launch Complex 8, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.

What orbit was NROL-66 (RPP) (USA-225) going to?

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

How many satellites did NROL-66 (RPP) (USA-225) launch?

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