May 22, 1999 9:36 am

NROL-9 (Misty 2)

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Titan 404B

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
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May 22, 1999 9:36 am

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2026-07-12 11:01:54

This satellite is suspected to be a stealthy electro-optical reconnaissance satellite. The program name for developing an stealth IMINT capability is reportedly “Misty”. Hobbyist satellite observers continue to track an object from that launch in a 2700 km × 3100 km, 63.4° orbit, but detailed orbital analysis reveals significant solar radiation pressure perturbations, from an area to mass ratio of about 0.1 m2/kg, 10 to 20 times that of a payload, and more akin to debris or a decoy, can be deduced. It appears to be no more than 5 to 10 m across, and only a few hundred kilograms in mass. If USA 144 is Misty-2, then it is likely to be in a 700 to 800 km, quasi 65° orbit. These orbits are low-drag, so orbit maintenance manoeuvres are not required.
Launch Overview
Window Open 09:36 UTC
Window Close 09:36 UTC
Lift Off May 22, 1999 · 09:36 UTC
Launch Facility Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Launch Pad Space Launch Complex 4E
Target Orbit Low Earth Orbit
Payload Overview
Customer United States Air Force
Payload NROL-9 (Misty 2)
Rocket Titan 404B
Destination Low Earth Orbit
Recovery Overview
Landing Location See Mission Notes
Landing Type RTLS / Droneship
This satellite is suspected to be a stealthy electro-optical reconnaissance satellite. The program name for developing an stealth IMINT capability is reportedly “Misty”. Hobbyist satellite observers continue to track an object from that launch in a 2700 km × 3100 km, 63.4° orbit, but detailed orbital analysis reveals significant solar radiation pressure perturbations, from an area to mass ratio of about 0.1 m2/kg, 10 to 20 times that of a payload, and more akin to debris or a decoy, can be deduced. It appears to be no more than 5 to 10 m across, and only a few hundred kilograms in mass. If USA 144 is Misty-2, then it is likely to be in a 700 to 800 km, quasi 65° orbit. These orbits are low-drag, so orbit maintenance manoeuvres are not required.

Height

LEO Payload

Total Launches

Status

United States Air Force
Space Launch Complex 4E
Launch Overview
Window Open 09:36 UTC
Window Close 09:36 UTC
Lift Off May 22, 1999 · 09:36 UTC
Launch Facility Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Launch Pad Space Launch Complex 4E
Target Orbit Low Earth Orbit
Payload Overview
Customer United States Air Force
Payload NROL-9 (Misty 2)
Rocket Titan 404B
Destination Low Earth Orbit
Recovery Overview
Landing Location See Mission Notes
Landing Type RTLS / Droneship

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