NROL-52

Mission

NROL-52

Type: Government/Top Secret

Classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

Location

Space Launch Complex 41

Cape Canaveral, FL, USA

209 launches have been at this location.

Rocket

Atlas V 421

Length: 58.3 meters
Diameter: 3.8 meters
First Launched: October 11, 2007

Atlas V is an expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family. It was formerly operated by Lockheed Martin and is now operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture with Boeing. Each Atlas V rocket uses a Russian-built RD-180 engine burning kerosene and liquid oxygen to power its first stage and an American-built RL10 engine burning liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to power its Centaur upper stage. The RD-180 engines are provided by RD Amross, while Aerojet Rocketdyne provides both the RL10 engines and the strap-on boosters used in some configurations. The 421 version uses a 4m wide fairing, 2 solid rocket boosters and one engine on the Centaur stage.

The Atlas V 421 rocket has been launched a total of 7 times with 7 successful and 0 failed launches.

Agency

United Launch Alliance

Type: Commercial
Abbreviation: ULA
Administration: CEO: Tory Bruno
Founded: 2006
Launchers: Atlas | Delta IV | Vulcan
Spacecraft: CST-100 Starliner
Country: USA

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. ULA launches from both coasts of the US. They launch their Atlas V vehicle from LC-41 in Cape Canaveral and LC-3E at Vandeberg. Their Delta IV launches from LC-37 at Cape Canaveral and LC-6 at Vandenberg.