| Auto: | all |
| USA-245 | |
| Mission Type: | Optical imaging |
| Operator: | National Reconnaissance Office |
| Cospar Id: | 2013-043A |
| Satcat: | 39232 |
| Spacecraft Type: | KH-11 |
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed Martin |
| Launch Date: | 28 August 2013 18:03:00 UTC |
| Launch Rocket: | Delta IV Heavy (Delta 364) |
| Launch Site: | Vandenberg, SLC-6 |
| Launch Contractor: | United Launch Alliance |
| Orbit Epoch: | 8 January 2015 19:32:46 UTC[1] |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric orbit |
| Orbit Regime: | Sun-synchronous orbit |
| Orbit Inclination: | 97.86° |
| Orbit Period: | 97.44 minutes |
| Orbit Slot: | West plane |
| Apsis: | gee |
USA-245 or NRO Launch 65 (NROL-65) is an American reconnaissance satellite which is operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched in August 2013, it is the last Block 4 KH-11 reconnaissance satellite, and the last official spacecraft to be launched in the Keyhole program.[2]
Details of USA-245's mission are classified by the US military, however numerous independent analysts identified it as a KH-11 before launch, and amateur satellite watchers have since observed it in the orbit used by such satellites.[3] [4]
KH-11 satellites are used to provide high-resolution optical and infrared imagery for US intelligence agencies.[5]
USA-245 was launched by United Launch Alliance, using a Delta IV Heavy rocket[6] with the flight number Delta 364 and the name Victoria. The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 6 at the Vandenberg Air Force Base at 18:03 UTC (11:03 local time) on 28 August 2013.[7] After deploying its payload, the rocket's upper stage was deorbited after completing one orbit.[2] The launch was the first Delta IV mission to use a new ignition sequence aimed at reducing damage to the first stage insulation caused by igniting a cloud of hydrogen around the vehicle at liftoff. To mitigate this, the rocket's starboard engine was lit two seconds earlier than on previous flights.[8]
In 2020, MIT Technology Review reported that USA-245 was likely being "stalked" by a Russian satellite, Kosmos 2542, in a possible attempt to spy on US-245 to deduce its camera aperture and resolution, or its computer functionality and operating times.