Encyclopedia entry

Topaz

Spacecraft · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

Classified US radar satellite.

Subtopics

4 events

04:03 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC3E. LV Family: Atlas V. Launch Vehicle: Atlas V 501.

USA 215 - . Payload: NROL-41. Nation: USA. Agency: Martin. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military Radarsat. Spacecraft: Topaz. USAF Sat Cat: 37162 . COSPAR: 2010-046A. Apogee: 1,105 km (686 mi). Perigee: 1,102 km (684 mi). Inclination: 123.00 deg. Believed to be a surveillance radarsat, in an unusual retrograde, higher altitude orbit than previous versions..

23:12 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC6. LV Family: Delta IV. Launch Vehicle: Delta 4M+(5,2).

USA 234 - . Payload: NROL-25. Nation: USA. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military Radarsat. Spacecraft: Topaz. USAF Sat Cat: 38109 . COSPAR: 2012-014A. Second FIA Radarsat mission, following NROL-41 / USA-25 / 2010-46A..

07:14 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC3E. LV Family: Atlas V. Launch Vehicle: Atlas V 501.

USA 247 - . Payload: NROL-39. Nation: USA. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military Radarsat. Spacecraft: Topaz. USAF Sat Cat: 39462 . COSPAR: 2013-072A. Apogee: 1,089 km (676 mi). Perigee: 1,075 km (667 mi). Inclination: 123.00 deg. Classified launch; appears to have been the third TOPAZ radar satellite..

11:40 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC6. LV Family: Delta IV. Launch Vehicle: Delta 4M+(5,2).

USA 267 - . Payload: TOPAZ 4?. Nation: USA. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military Radarsat. Spacecraft: Topaz. USAF Sat Cat: 41334 . COSPAR: 2016-010A. Apogee: 1,085 km (674 mi). Perigee: 1,078 km (669 mi). Inclination: 123.00 deg. Satellite for the US National Reconnaissance Office. The launch was designated NRO L-45. The USA 267 payload was observed in a 1078 x 1085 km orbit with a retrograde 123 degree inclination, characteristic of the TOPAZ radar imaging satellites..