USA-184

 2006-027A

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Launch by Delta IVM+(4,2) from VAFB SLC6. Uses 1666-4 PAF. 4m fairing. Launch az 154.2deg and then dog-leg.

The NROL-22 payload may be an advanced signals intelligence satellite or a data relay satellite.

The Two Wide-angle Imaging Neutral-Atom Spectrometers (TWINS) will perform stereo magnetospheric imaging. They will study the charge exchange neutral atoms over the 1-100 keV range and study large scale structure and dynamics of the magnetosphere. High energy ions hit the cold neutral hydrogen in the geocorona and accelerate the hydrogen as ENAs (Energetic Neutral Atoms). The experiment will piggyback on NRO Molniya-orbit spacecraft, either TRUMPET or SDS. The TWINS experiment is funded by the NASA Explorer program, with LANL as PI.

A NASA stereo magnetospheric imager was a secondary payload on an NRO Molniya orbit satellite launched in summer 2006 (according to the data management plan for the Explorer mission of opportunity). The NROL-22/USA-184 satellite launched in Jun 2006 is the only plausible candidate.

The Two Wide-angle Imaging Neutral-Atom Spectrometers (TWINS) will perform stereo magnetospheric imaging. They will study the charge exchange neutral atoms over the 1-100 keV range and study large scale structure and dynamics of the magnetosphere. High energy ions hit the cold neutral hydrogen in the geocorona and accelerate the hydrogen as ENAs (Energetic Neutral Atoms). The experiment will piggyback on NRO Molniya-orbit spacecraft, either TRUMPET or SDS. The TWINS experiment is funded by the NASA Explorer program, with LANL as PI.

It may also have carried the Interim Polar Adjunct communications package for the USAF. 2008 budget docs reported that two IPA packages were on orbit as of 2007 and 2006 docs indicated a planned launch in FY06.

NROL-22
Date	Time	Event	Orbit
2006 Jun 28	0333:00	Launch by Delta 4M+(4,2)	SLC6
		T+1:35 SRM 1-2 off
		T+1:55 SRM 1-2 sep
		T+1:56 dogleg
		T+3:55 end dogleg
	0337:06	T+4:06 MECO
		T+4:12 St 1 sep
	0337:26	T+4:26 SSIC-1
		T+4:36 Fairing sep
		T+4:37 St 2 dogleg
		T+4:57 End dogleg
	0347:21	T+14:21 SECO-1	193 x 2215 x 62.5
	0413:12	T+40:12 SSIC-2
	T+43:34 SECO-2
		Spinup to 5 rpm
	0427	T+54:14 St 2 sep
			1110 x 37564 x 62.4
			1073 x 36487 x 62.3 (UN R/B)
			1111 x 37594 x 62.4 (UN P/L)
2007 Jan 30		Initial TWINS A data
2008 Feb 26			1112 x 39241 x 63.4

Payload:

• SIGINT payload?

• Interim Polar Adjunct 2 (LDR Milstar package)

• SBIRS HEO-1? Infrared payload (LM/Azusa).

• TWINS-A Two Wide Angle Neutral Atom Spectrometers, for stereo imaging of the magnetosphere.

  • Neutral atom imager, 1-100 keV, 4 deg resolution