1998-005A
A 2500 kg classified NRO satellite, CAPRICORN, was launched by Atlas IIA AC-109 from Canaveral in Jan 1998, and placed in Molniya orbit. Aviation Week reported the prime contractor was Hughes. The unclassified name CAPRICORN was applied to the launch (rather than the payload) and was selected in a contest among children of NRO employees. Speculation is that CAPRICORN's payload was a follow on SDS comsat, built by Hughes, and also carried the COBRA BRASS payload.
The COBRA BRASS payload, with a multi-spectral electro-optical sensor, was designed to provide technology demonstrations for the GEO/HEO component of the advanced SBIRS early warning system. It was developed by Sandia/Albuquerque. COBRA BRASS probably also flew on the TRUMPET satellites.
The UN orbit of 191 x 795 km x 62.5 deg is probably the post-MECO1 parking orbit.
Optical observations showed that the satellite was of similar brightness to the earlier SDS-2 missions and different from USA 155 and its siblings.
| CAPRICORN | |||
| Date | Time | Event | Orbit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 Jan 29 | 1837 | Launch by Atlas IIA AC-109 | CC LC36 |
| T+2:44 BECO | |||
| T+2:47 Booster sep | |||
| T+3:34 Fairing sep | |||
| T+4:47 SECO | |||
| T+4:49 Atlas sep | |||
| T+5:05 Centaur MES1 | |||
| 1847 | T+10:13 MECO1 | 56 deg EPO | |
| 94.1 191 x 795 x 62.5 (UN) | |||
| 1942 | T+1:05:17 Centaur MES2 | ||
| 1943 | T+1:06:33 Centaur MECO2 | ||
| 1947 | T+1:10:16 S/C sep | 12hr orbit, 63.4 deg | |
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