USA-193
Delta II launching USA-193, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, in December 2006 | |
| Names | NROL-21 NRO Launch 21 L-21 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Reconnaissance radar imaging |
| Operator | National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) |
| COSPAR ID | 2006-057A |
| SATCAT no. | 29651 |
| Mission duration | Communications with satellite not maintained after launch |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Initially Boeing, then Lockheed Martin |
| Launch mass | 2,300 kg (5,100 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 14 December 2006, 21:00:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Delta II 7920-10 |
| Launch site | Vandenberg, SLC-2W |
| Contractor | United Launch Alliance |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Destroyed by heavily modified missile defence interceptor launched from USS Lake Erie (CG-70) |
| Destroyed | 21 February 2008 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 349 km (217 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 365 km (227 mi) |
| Inclination | 58.48° |
| Period | 92.0 minutes |
USA-193, also known as NRO Launch 21 (NROL-21 or simply L-21), was a United States military reconnaissance satellite (radar imaging) launched on 14 December 2006. It was the first launch conducted by the United Launch Alliance (ULA). Owned by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the craft's precise function and purpose were classified. On 21 February 2008, it was destroyed as a result of Operation Burnt Frost.