Northrop Grumman Space SystemsPegasus XLVandenberg Space Force Base, Air launch to orbit

Odyssey (TacRL-2)

Launched

June 13, 2021

Launch Successful

Image: NASA/Laurie Losey

Summary

Odyssey (TacRL-2) launched on a Northrop Grumman Space Systems Pegasus XL from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Air launch to orbit on June 13, 2021. It was Northrop Grumman Space Systems's 9th launch, 2nd this year and humanity's 6,091st orbital launch attempt. It was the 31st Pegasus XL flight and the 1st this year. The payload was bound for Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO). Odyssey, one of 2 catalogued objects, reached a 408 × 459 km orbit inclined 97.5°. 2 objects from this launch are catalogued, one of them a payload.

Watch: No webcast on record.
Vehicle: Pegasus XL · Northrop Grumman Space Systems
Booster: No booster details on record.
Mission: Government/Top Secret · Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO)
Milestone: 31st Pegasus XL flight · 1st this yearNorthrop Grumman Space Systems's 9th launch2nd this yearhumanity's 6,091st orbital launch attempt54th orbital launch attempt this year

Flight preview

Orbit: as tracked

97.5°Inclination

408 × 459 kmPerigee × apogeefrom mean elements

93.1 minPeriodfrom mean elements

77.8°Ascending node

1951 d agoElement epoch2021-06-13 09:45 UTC · stale

Odyssey · NORAD 48844 · 2021-051 · Space-Track · tracking 1 of 2 objects

Show the numbers

Object: TBA - TO BE ASSIGNED
Object ID: 2021-051A
Epoch: 2021-06-13 09:45:57 UTC
Mean motion: 15.46693245 rev/day
Eccentricity: 0.0037396
Inclination: 97.4854°
Ascending node: 77.791°
Arg. of perigee: 290.0449°
Mean anomaly: 204.8035°
Element set: 999
Rev at epoch: 0
B*: 0

Perigee, apogee and period are Kepler figures from the catalogued mean elements, not a propagated state. Published orbit: SSO. Ascent drawn from padside's representative profile.

Catalogued objects

2 catalogued: 1 payload, 1 rocket stage; none still in orbit

Odyssey · NORAD 48844 · re-entered December 18, 2022

Pegasus F45 Stage 3 · re-entered November 27, 2023

Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org

About this launch

Payload for the US Space Force’s Tactically Responsive Launch program. It is a space domain awareness satellite that was procured under the Space Force's responsive launch program. The spacecraft was built in under a year and the launch provider was given three weeks of notice for the launch.

Pad

Vandenberg Space Force Base, Air launch to orbit

22nd launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, 1st this year · 47th from Air launch to orbit

22 launches from this pad · 52 from Air launch to orbit

about 8 years after the previous launch from this pad

All launches from Air launch to orbit Open in maps

Updates

Launch success.

Cosmic_Penguin · Jun 13, 2021 · source

Show 4 earlier updates

Launched
Cosmic_Penguin · 6/13/2021 · source
Updating T-0 and setting GO
Nosu · 6/10/2021 · source
NET June 13 based on navigational warnings
Nosu · 6/9/2021 · source
Adding launch TBD June
Nosu · 6/8/2021 · source

Questions

When did Odyssey (TacRL-2) launch?

Odyssey (TacRL-2) launched on June 13, 2021. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.

Where can I watch Odyssey (TacRL-2)?

No webcast is on record for this launch.

What rocket launched Odyssey (TacRL-2)?

Pegasus XL, flown by Northrop Grumman Space Systems. Pegasus XL spec sheet

Where did Odyssey (TacRL-2) launch from?

Vandenberg Space Force Base, Air launch to orbit.

What orbit did Odyssey (TacRL-2) reach?

Odyssey, one of 2 catalogued objects, reached a 408 × 459 km orbit inclined 97.5°.

How many satellites did Odyssey (TacRL-2) launch?

1 payload from this launch is catalogued, no longer in orbit (Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org).