Delta IV M+(4,2) | NROL-22
These spacecraft are probably the replacement for the Trumpet SIGINT satellites operating in a Molniya orbit. As no name is known, these are referred here as "Trumpet Follow On". Possibly these satellites might be named Raven. These satellite most likely use a large, unfurlable dish antenna to collect the signals. Advances in both antenna and electronics technologies have allowed for a large reduction in size compared the Trumpet predecessors.
Mission Details
- Launch date: June 28, 2006 at 03:33 AM UTC
- Launch vehicle: Delta IV M+(4,2)
- Operator: United States Air Force
- Launch site: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
- Mission type: Government/Top Secret