* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: NROL-27 satellite

Blobrana · L

Orbital elements
Period:       644.35 minutes
Inclination: 27.28°
Apogee:     36391 km
Perigee:     277 km

Blobrana · L

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office lifted off from Space Launch Complex-37 here at 6:38 p.m. EST today. Designated NROL-27, the mission is in support of national defense. This marks the fourth NRO launch accomplished by ULA since Sept. 20, 2010 and occurred just six days after the Atlas V launch of the OTV-2 mission.
Previously, ULA launched NROL-41 on an Atlas V from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. on Sept. 20, 2010. Then it launched NROL-32 on a Delta IV Heavy from here Nov. 21, 2010 and on Jan. 20, 2011 ULA launched NROL-49 on a Delta IV Heavy from VAFB.
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Blobrana · L

New U.S. Spy Satellite Blasts Off On Secret Mission

A new U.S. spy satellite soared into the sunset sky above Florida today (March 11) on a clandestine mission to preserve national security.
The satellite launched into space atop an unmanned Delta 4 rocket that lifted off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 6:38 p.m. EST (2338 GMT). High-altitude winds above the Air Force station's Launch Complex 37 delayed the satellite's launch by nearly a half hour, but cleared in time for a dazzling twilight blastoff.
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Blobrana · L

USA 227 satellite

Blobrana · L

RE: NROL-27 satellite

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The Mission is now classified.

Blobrana · L

Second stage ignition.

Upper fairing jettisoned.

Blobrana · L

Main engine cut-off.

Blobrana · L

All systems nominal.