USA-215

USA-215, also known as NRO Launch 41 or NROL-41, is an American reconnaissance satellite, operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Launched in 2010, it has been identified as the first in a new series of imaging radar satellites, developed as part of the Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) programme,^[2] to replace the earlier Lacrosse spacecraft.

USA-215

Names	NRO Launch 41 NROL-41 Gladys
Mission type	Imaging radar
Operator	National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
COSPAR ID	2010-046A
SATCAT no.	37162
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type	FIA Radar
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin
Start of mission
Launch date	21 September 2010, 04:03:30 UTC
Rocket	Atlas V 501 s/n AV-025
Launch site	Vandenberg, SLC-3E
Contractor	United Launch Alliance (ULA)
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit[1]
Regime	Low Earth orbit (retrograde)
Perigee altitude	1,103 km (685 mi)
Apogee altitude	1,105 km (687 mi)
Inclination	122.99°
Period	107.35 minutes

Launch

USA-215 was launched by an Atlas V launch vehicle, flying in the 501 configuration, operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA). The rocket was launched from Space Launch Complex 3E at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, at 04:03:30 UTC on 21 September 2010.^[3] It was identified as NRO Launch 41, and was the twenty-third flight of an Atlas V; the vehicle had the tail number AV-025, and was named Gladys.^[4]

Mission

The satellite's orbit and mission are officially classified; however, it has been located by amateur observers in a retrograde low Earth orbit. As of 14 February 2021, it was in an orbit with a perigee of 1,103 km (685 mi), an apogee of 1,105 km (687 mi) and 122.99° of orbital inclination.^[1]