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Trumpet (satellite)

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TRUMPET (also known as JEROBOAM[1] and called Advanced Jumpseat by some observers) is reportedly a series of ELINT reconnaissance satellites launched by the United States during the 1990s to replace the Jumpseat satellites. Speculated to weigh 5,200 kg, three of these satellites were launched into highly elliptical (Molniya) orbits by Titan 4 launch vehicles from Cape Canaveral between 1994 and 1997. Their precise mission and capabilities are classified. News reports state that the satellites monitor radio communication using antennas with diameters of 150 m.[2] It is speculated that the satellites are manufactured by Boeing.[3]

Design

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According to NASA's National Space Science Data Center, Trumpet SIGINT satellites have a large deployable mesh antenna, and were initially aimed at monitoring Soviet communications and missile tests.[4] Trumpet 5 is allegedly the second satellite of a new series. Its tasks are believed to be signals intelligence and early warning, using a SBIRS HEO-2 infrared missile early warning package. In addition it is supposed to carry a NASA/Los Alamos TWINS-B magnetospheric research payload.[5]

Launches

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Name COSPAR ID[6] Launch date Launch vehicle Launch site Launch designation Orbit Remarks
First generation
USA-103 1994-026A 3 May 1994 Titan IV (401)A CCAFS SLC-41 N/A
USA-112 1995-034A 10 July 1995 Titan IV (401)A CCAFS SLC-41 N/A
USA-136 1997-068A 8 November 1997 Titan IV (401)A CCAFS SLC-41 NROL-4
Second generation
USA-184 2006-027A 28 June 2006 Delta IV M+(4,2) VAFB SLC-6 NROL-22 Carries TWINS-A and SBIRS HEO-1 payloads
USA-200 2008-010A 13 March 2008 Atlas V 411 VAFB SLC-3E NROL-28 1,112 km x 35,780 km x 63.6°[5] Carries TWINS-B and SBIRS HEO-2 payloads
Third generation
USA-259 2014-081A 13 December 2014 Atlas V 541 VAFB SLC-3E NROL-35 TBD Carries SBIRS HEO-3 payload
USA-278 2017-056A 24 September 2017[7] Atlas V 541 VAFB SLC-3E NROL-42 TBD Will probably carry another SBIRS payload

Cost

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In 1994, the cost of Trumpet 1 (excluding launch vehicle) were estimated to more than US$1.5 billion (inflation adjusted more than US$ 3.1 billion in 2024).[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Second Titan IV of 1994 orbits SIGINT satellite. (Jeroboam signal intelligence satellite launched for National Reconnaissance Office)", Defense Daily, May 4, 1994
  2. ^ Johansen, Anatol (1995-07-28). "Riesige Lauscher am Himmel | ZEIT ONLINE". Die Zeit. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  3. ^ "Shuttle and Mir". Planet4589.org. Archived from the original on 2011-04-19. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  4. ^ "USA 103". NASA. 2010-10-08.
  5. ^ a b "History of Camp Cooke & Vandenberg" (PDF). US Army, Space and Missile Defense Command. 2009.
  6. ^ "Launch Logs". Planet4589.org. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  7. ^ Graham, William (23 September 2017). "Atlas V launches NROL-42 spy satellite". NASASpaceflight.com. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  8. ^ Weiner, Tim (1994-04-23). "Secret Spy Satellite to Be Launched Today". The New York Times.
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