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1999 · United States Air Force

NROL-9 (Misty 2)

successTitan 404B | NROL-9

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.

Overview

Date / time
May 22, 1999 at 09:36 AM UTC
Outcome
success
Launch site
Space Launch Complex 4E
Mission
NROL-9 (Misty 2)
Mission type
Government/Top Secret
Orbit achieved
Low Earth Orbit
Launch vehicle
Titan 404B →
Launch provider
United States Air Force →

Payloads deployed · 1

USA 144
MEO