14 DAY TRIAL // On Sunday, authorities in the United States augmented their space-based surveillance capabilities with the launch of a new spy satellite. The instrument was launched from California, and its developers are hopeful that it will be able to increase the nation's ability to collect valuable data from space.
According to a statement released to the press after the launch, the new space vehicle is operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), but the cargo itself is classified, as is its mission as well.
But arguably the most important thing about the new spacecraft is that it will play a pivotal role in testing out new strategies for collecting intelligence, that could surpass old ones in effectiveness.
Officials at the Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), where the launch took place, say that the spacecraft was called NROL-66, and add that the payload is the RPP (Rapid Pathfinder Program).
Spokespersons for the NRO disclosed ahead of the launch that the new satellite will most likely demonstrate a new, better and more efficient way of gathering data for the US government from orbit.
“I commend everyone who made this launch successful,” says the director of the NRO Advanced Science and Technology Directorate, Robert Brodowski.
“This mission is just one example of our ability to rapidly build and launch small spacecraft with on-orbit capabilities that increase the value of NRO systems to our nation's future,” the official adds.
At this point, everyone is keeping mum about how expensive the new technology demonstrator was, about which company built it, and also about the technologies or types of sensors it will use in orbit.
“If you have heard our director speak, one of his priorities is to have a healthy science and technology effort,” explains NRO spokesperson Rick Oborn, quoted by Space.
“This particular payload carries some of the work we do in techniques and methods to improve intelligence collection. All part of our work to keep improving the value of our data,” he adds.
Though speculations about the size of the NROL-66 payload will most likely persist for a while, experts draw attention to the fact that a Minotaur 1 rocket was used to deliver it to the skies.
At best, the payload fairing on this delivery system can accommodate 1,000 pounds of cargo, in a spacecraft about the size of a refrigerator. “It is an NRO mission using a small rocket, which would denote a lighter payload,” Oborn says.
The successful launch occurred from the VAFB Space Launch Complex-8 at 4:26 am PST (1226 GMT) February 6. Other Minotaur launches are scheduled for the coming months.