It is believed that two Magnum satellites were launched from Space Shuttle Discovery (OV-103) during the missions STS-51-C in 1985 and STS-33 in 1989. The satellites reportedly have a mass of 2,200–2,700 kg (4,900–6,000 lb), operating in near-geosynchronous orbits, using Inertial Upper Stages (IUS) to get from the shuttle's orbit to the higher geosynchronous orbit.[1] According to Jim Slade of ABC News, the second satellite, USA-48, replaced the first, USA-8, which after more than 4 years in orbit was running out of maneuvering fuel required for keeping its station over the Indian Ocean. The mission of the two satellites was to listen in to military and diplomatic communications from the Soviet Union, China, and neighbouring countries.[2]
USA-67 satellite
USA-67, launched aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis (OV-104) in November 1990 (STS-38 mission), was initially identified as a third Magnum satellite owing to the presence of two upper stages in orbit after its deployment, suggesting that an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) had been used to deploy it. It was later determined that the second upper stage was from the stealthy Prowler spacecraft, and that USA-67 was a Satellite Data System (SDS-2) communications satellite.[3][4]
Contractor
The Magnum satellites, built by TRW, are rumored to have large (estimated 100 m (330 ft) diameter)[5][6] umbrella-like reflecting dishes to collect RFsignals from Earth. The Magnum/Orion satellites replaced the older Rhyolite/Aquacade series of SIGINT satellites, and have themselves been succeeded by the Mentor/Advanced Orion satellites.
magnum, satellite, magnum, class, sigint, satellites, reportedly, operated, national, reconnaissance, office, united, states, central, intelligence, agency, program, remains, classified, information, that, exists, speculative, contents, launch, satellite, cont. Magnum was a class of SIGINT spy satellites reportedly operated by the National Reconnaissance Office NRO for the United States Central Intelligence Agency CIA The program remains classified and the information that exists is speculative Contents 1 Launch 2 USA 67 satellite 3 Contractor 4 Satellites 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External linksLaunch EditIt is believed that two Magnum satellites were launched from Space Shuttle Discovery OV 103 during the missions STS 51 C in 1985 and STS 33 in 1989 The satellites reportedly have a mass of 2 200 2 700 kg 4 900 6 000 lb operating in near geosynchronous orbits using Inertial Upper Stages IUS to get from the shuttle s orbit to the higher geosynchronous orbit 1 According to Jim Slade of ABC News the second satellite USA 48 replaced the first USA 8 which after more than 4 years in orbit was running out of maneuvering fuel required for keeping its station over the Indian Ocean The mission of the two satellites was to listen in to military and diplomatic communications from the Soviet Union China and neighbouring countries 2 USA 67 satellite EditUSA 67 launched aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis OV 104 in November 1990 STS 38 mission was initially identified as a third Magnum satellite owing to the presence of two upper stages in orbit after its deployment suggesting that an Inertial Upper Stage IUS had been used to deploy it It was later determined that the second upper stage was from the stealthy Prowler spacecraft and that USA 67 was a Satellite Data System SDS 2 communications satellite 3 4 Contractor EditThe Magnum satellites built by TRW are rumored to have large estimated 100 m 330 ft diameter 5 6 umbrella like reflecting dishes to collect RF signals from Earth The Magnum Orion satellites replaced the older Rhyolite Aquacade series of SIGINT satellites and have themselves been succeeded by the Mentor Advanced Orion satellites Satellites EditName COSPAR ID Launch date UTC Launch vehicle Launch site Longitude RemarksUSA 8 1985 010B 24 January 198519 50 00 Space Shuttle DiscoverySTS 51 C IUS KSC LC 39AUSA 48 1989 090B 23 November 198900 23 00 Space Shuttle DiscoverySTS 33 IUS KSC LC 39BReferences Edit Spaceflight portal Jonathan s space report No 369 Archived 2009 06 19 at the Wayback Machine 1998 08 22 Slade Jim 22 November 1989 ABC News Coverage of the STS 33 Launch ABC News Archived from the original on 19 December 2021 Molczan Ted 21 January 2011 Unknown GEO Object 2000 653A 90007 Identified as Prowler PDF Satellite Observer Retrieved 9 April 2012 Molczan Ted 19 February 2011 Evaluation of the Opportunity to Launch Prowler on STS 38 PDF Satellite Observer Retrieved 9 April 2012 Cassutt Michael 1 August 2009 Secret Space Shuttles When you re 200 miles up it s easy to hide what you re up to Air amp Space Magazine Spy satellites of the NSA fr Further reading EditRichelson Jeffrey T ed U S Military Uses of Space 1945 1991 Vol 1 Guide National Security Archive 1991External links EditInformation from astronautix com Gunter s Space Page information on Magnum Globalsecurity Magnum Mentor Orion This article about one or more spacecraft of the United States is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Magnum satellite amp oldid 1076810308, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
