Titan 404B | NROL-9
United States Air Force · Titan 404B · Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
United States Air Force's 1,011th launch · 8th this year · humanity's 4,318th orbital launch attempt
The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).
Window: May 22, 09:36 – May 22, 09:36 UTC
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NROL-9 (Misty 2)
This satellite is suspected to be a stealthy electro-optical reconnaissance satellite. The program name for developing an stealth IMINT capability is reportedly "Misty". Hobbyist satellite observers continue to track an object from that launch in a 2700 km × 3100 km, 63.4° orbit, but detailed orbital analysis reveals significant solar radiation pressure perturbations, from an area to mass ratio of about 0.1 m2/kg, 10 to 20 times that of a payload, and more akin to debris or a decoy, can be deduced. It appears to be no more than 5 to 10 m across, and only a few hundred kilograms in mass. If USA 144 is Misty-2, then it is likely to be in a 700 to 800 km, quasi 65° orbit. These orbits are low-drag, so orbit maintenance manoeuvres are not required.
Government/Top Secret · Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
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