USA-245

USA-245

Launch of USA-245
Mission type	Optical imaging
Operator	National Reconnaissance Office
COSPAR ID	2013-043A
SATCAT no.	39232
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type	KH-11
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin
Start of mission
Launch date	28 August 2013 18:03:00 UTC
Rocket	Delta IV Heavy (Delta 364)
Launch site	Vandenberg, SLC-6
Contractor	United Launch Alliance
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Sun-synchronous orbit
Slot	West plane
Perigee altitude	276 kilometres (171 mi)
Apogee altitude	1,010 kilometres (630 mi)
Inclination	97.86°
Period	97.44 minutes
Epoch	8 January 2015 19:32:46 UTC[1]

USA-245 or NRO Launch 65 (NROL-65) is an American reconnaissance satellite which is operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched in August 2013, it is the last Block 4 KH-11 reconnaissance satellite, and the last official spacecraft to be launched in the Keyhole program.^[2]

Reconnaissance satellite

Details of USA-245's mission are classified by the US military, however numerous independent analysts identified it as a KH-11 before launch, and amateur satellite watchers have since observed it in the orbit used by such satellites.^[3][4]

KH-11 satellites are used to provide high-resolution optical and infrared imagery for US intelligence agencies.^[5]

USA-245 was launched by United Launch Alliance, using a Delta IV Heavy rocket^[6] with the flight number Delta 364 and the name Victoria. The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 6 at the Vandenberg Air Force Base at 18:03 UTC (11:03 local time) on 28 August 2013.^[7] After deploying its payload, the rocket's upper stage was deorbited after completing one orbit.^[2] The launch was the first Delta IV mission to use a new ignition sequence aimed at reducing damage to the first stage insulation caused by igniting a cloud of hydrogen around the vehicle at liftoff. To mitigate this, the rocket's starboard engine was lit two seconds earlier than on previous flights.^[8]

In 2020, MIT Technology Review reported that USA-245 was likely being "stalked" by a Russian satellite, Kosmos 2542, in a possible attempt to spy on US-245 to deduce its camera aperture and resolution, or its computer functionality and operating times.^[9]

References