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This is a list of NRO Launch (NROL) designations for satellites operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Those missions are generally classified, so that their exact purposes and orbital elements are not published.

However, amateur astronomers have managed to observe most of the satellites, and leaked information has led to the identification of many of the payloads.

Launch statistics

Launch vehicle families

Launch sites

Launch history

Launch designationPayload nicknameSatellite designationDate/time, UTCLaunch siteRocketOrbitProjectFunctionStatusPatchRemarks
L-1NemesisUSA-17931 August 2004 23:17CCAFS, SLC-36AAtlas IIAS39,053 × 1,316 km × 63.7° (Molniya)Quasar 15CommunicationsEntered service, status unknown
L-2USA-12920 December 1996 18:04VAFB, SLC-4ETitan IVLEOKH-11 12Optical imagingDeorbitedReentered on 1 May 2014.
L-3USA-13324 October 1997 02:32VAFB, SLC-4ETitan IV679 × 666 km × 57° (LEO)Lacrosse 3Synthetic-aperture radarDeorbited
L-4OscarUSA-1368 November 1997 02:05CCAFS, SLC-41Titan IV/Centaur36,523 × 3,849 km × 63.6° (Molniya)Trumpet 3ELINTEntered service, status unknown
L-5CapricornUSA-13729 January 1998 18:37CCAFS, SLC-36AAtlas IIAMolniyaQuasar 12CommunicationsEntered service, status unknown
L-6JackUSA-1399 May 1998 01:38CCAFS, SLC-40Titan IV/Centaur35,945 × 35,642 km × 8.4° (GSO)Orion 4SIGINTEntered service, presumed active
L-7ElwoodN/A12 August 1998 11:30CCAFS, SLC-41Titan IV/CentaurGSO (planned)MercuryELINTDestroyedRocket self-destructed 40 seconds into launch due to guidance problem.
L-8USA-140, USA-1413 October 1998 10:04VAFB, LC-576ETaurus 1110LEOSTEXTechnologyEntered service, status unknownATEX experiment jettisoned on 16 January 1999 and catalogued as USA-141.
L-9USA-14422 May 1999 09:36VAFB, SLC-4ETitan IVBMistyOptical imagingEntered service, status unknownFirst Titan IV-B launch from VAFB.
L-10Ursa Major (Great Bear)USA-1556 December 2000 02:47CCAFS, SLC-36AAtlas IIAS35,854 × 35,732 km × 9.3° (GSO)Quasar 13CommunicationsEntered service, presumed active
L-11Onyx / VegaUSA-15217 August 2000 23:45VAFB, SLC-4ETitan IVB695 × 689 km × 68° (LEO)Lacrosse 4SARDeorbited
L-12AquilaUSA-16211 October 2001 02:32CCAFS, SLC-36BAtlas IIAS35,803 × 35,785 km × 10.9° (GSO)Quasar 14CommunicationsEntered service, presumed active
L-13GeminiUSA-1608 September 2001 15:25VAFB, SLC-3EAtlas IIAS1,486 × 740 km × 63.4° (LEO)Intruder 5A & 5BNaval reconnaissanceEntered service, status unknownTwo satellites.
L-14USA-1615 October 2001 21:21VAFB, SLC-4ETitan IVBLEOKH-11 13Optical reconnaissanceDeorbitedReentered in November 2014.
L-15USA-23729 June 2012 13:15CCAFS, SLC-37BDelta IV Heavy (first RS-68A upgrade)35,960 × 35,628 km × 2.8° (GSO)Orion 8SIGINTEntered service, presumed active
L-16PrometheusUSA-18230 April 2005 00:50CCAFS, SLC-40Titan IVB728 × 725 km × 57.0° (LEO)Lacrosse 5SARDeorbited
L-17GeoLITEUSA-15818 May 2001 17:45CCAFS, SLC-17BDelta II 7925-9.5GSOGeoLITETechnology demonstrationRetiredBoosted to graveyard orbit after end of mission. Testbed for experimental laser and UHF communications payloads.
L-18LibraUSA-1732 December 2003 10:04VAFB, SLC-3EAtlas IIAS1,435 × 786 km × 63.4° (LEO)Intruder 6A & BNaval reconnaissanceEntered service, status unknownTwo satellites.
L-19HomerUSA-1719 September 2003 04:29CCAFS, SLC-40Titan IVB-Centaur35,995 × 35,592 km × 11.4° (GSO)Orion 5SIGINTEntered service, presumed active
L-20USA-18619 October 2005 18:05VAFB, SLC-4ETitan IVB473 × 268 km × 96.9° (LEO)KH-11 14Optical imagingEntered service, presumed activeLast launch of a Titan rocket.
L-21USA-19314 December 2006 21:00VAFB, SLC-2WDelta II 7920-10LEOUnknownUnknownDestroyedFailed on orbit immediately after launch. Destroyed by ASAT on 21 February 2008.
L-22USA-18428 June 2006 03:33VAFB, SLC-6Delta IV M+(4,2)38,628 × 1,740 km × 63° (Molniya)Improved Trumpet 4ELINTEntered service, status unknown
L-23Canis MinorUSA-1813 February 2005 07:41CCAFS, SLC-36BAtlas IIIB1,404 × 822 km × 63.4° (LEO)Intruder 7A & 7BNaval reconnaissanceEntered service, status unknownTwo satellites.
L-24ScorpiusUSA-19810 December 2007 22:05CCAFS, SLC-41Atlas V 40139,899 × 461 km × 63.4° (Molniya)Quasar 16CommunicationsEntered service, presumed active
L-25AltairUSA-2343 April 2012 23:12VAFB, SLC-6Delta IV M+ (5,2)1,112 × 1,109 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO)Topaz 2Radar imagingEntered service, presumed active
L-26USA-20218 January 2009 02:47CCAFS, SLC-37BDelta IV Heavy35,814 × 35,774 km × 6.1° (GSO)Orion 6SIGINTEntered service, presumed active
L-27GryphonUSA-22711 March 2011 23:38CCAFS, SLC-37BDelta IV M+(4,2)35,810 × 35,778 km × 4.6° (GSO)Quasar 17CommunicationsEntered service, presumed active
L-28USA-20013 March 2008 10:02VAFB, SLC-3EAtlas V 41138,009 × 2,362 km × 63.2° (Molniya)Improved Trumpet 5ELINTEntered service, status unknown
L-29N/AVAFB, SLC-3EAtlas V 521Canceled
L-30PyxisUSA-19415 June 2007 15:12CCAFS, SLC-41Atlas V 4011,347 × 879 km × 63.4° (LEO)Intruder 8A & 8BNaval reconnaissanceEntered service, presumed activeTwo satellites. Premature 2nd stage cutoff during launch. Lifetime reduced by need to correct orbit.
L-32USA-22321 November 2010 22:58CCAFS, SLC-37BDelta IV Heavy35,979 × 35,609 km × 4.6° (GSO)Orion 7SIGINTEntered service, presumed active
L-33USA-25222 May 2014 13:09CCAFS, SLC-41Atlas V 40135,810 × 35,778 km × 2.7° (GSO)Quasar 19CommunicationsEntered service, presumed active
L-34OdinUSA-22915 April 2011 04:24VAFB, SLC-3EAtlas V 4111,261 × 965 km × 63.4° (LEO)Intruder 9A & 9BNaval reconnaissanceEntered service, presumed activeTwo satellites.
L-35JacquelynUSA-25913 December 2014 03:19VAFB, SLC-3EAtlas V 54139,083 × 1,286 km × 63.4° (Molniya)Trumpet 6 (third generation)ELINTEntered service, presumed activeFirst flight of the RL10C-1 rocket engine, used by the Centaur upper stage
L-36USA-23813 September 2012 21:39VAFB, SLC-3EAtlas V 4011,225 × 1,001 km × 63.4° (LEO)Intruder 10A & 10BNaval reconnaissanceEntered service, presumed activeTwo satellites sharing a designation.
L-37USA-26811 June 2016 17:51CCAFS, SLC-37BDelta IV Heavy35,993 × 35,594 km × 6.5° (GSO)Orion 9SIGINTEntered service, presumed activeLikely the seventh so called Mentor/Orion satellite for the National Security Agency.
L-38DrakeUSA-23620 June 2012 12:28CCAFS, SLC-41Atlas V 40135,815 × 35,773 km × 3.1° (GSO)Quasar 18CommunicationsEntered service, presumed active
L-39USA-2476 December 2013 07:14VAFB, SLC-3EAtlas V 5011,113 × 1,109 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO)Topaz 3Radar imagingEntered service, presumed active
L-41GladysUSA-21521 September 2010 04:03VAFB, SLC-3EAtlas V 5011,112 × 1,109 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO)Topaz 1Radar imagingEntered service, presumed active
L-42USA-27824 September 2017 05:49:47VAFB, SLC-3EAtlas V 54139,230 × 1,138 km × 63.6° (Molniya)Trumpet 7 (third generation)ELINTEntered service, presumed active
L-44USA-31111 December 2020 01:09CCSFS, SLC-37BDelta IV Heavy35,992 × 35,596 km × 7.6° (GSO)Orion 10SIGINTEntered service, presumed active
L-45USA-26710 February 2016 11:40VAFB, SLC-6Delta IV M+(5,2)1,115 × 1,106 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO)Topaz 4Radar imagingEntered service, presumed active
L-47USA-28112 January 2018 22:11VAFB, SLC-6Delta IV M+(5,2)1,088 × 1,085 km × 106° (Retrograde LEO)Topaz 5Radar imagingEntered service, presumed active
L-48USA-558 - USA-56522 September 2025 17:38VSFB, SLC-4EFalcon 9 Block 5425 × 310 km × 69.7° LEOStarshieldEntered service, presumed activeNRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 11 Starshield satellites.
L-49BettyUSA-22420 January 2011 21:10VAFB, SLC-6Delta IV Heavy1,003 × 262 km × 97.9° (LEO)KH-11 15Optical imagingEntered service, presumed active
L-52USA-27915 October 2017 07:28CCAFS, SLC-41Atlas V 42135,810 × 35,778 km × 3.2° (GSO)Quasar 21CommunicationsEntered service, presumed active
L-55USA-2648 October 2015 12:49VAFB, SLC-3EAtlas V 4011,150 × 1,076 km × 63.4° (LEO)Intruder 11A & 11BNaval reconnisanceEntered service, presumed activeTwo classified satellites (NROL-55) and 13 CubeSats.
L-56-NLT 2026CCSFS, SLC-41Vulcan CentaurAwaiting launch
L-57USA-487 - USA-49721 March 2025 06:49VSFB, SLC-4EFalcon 9 Block 5425 × 310 km × 69.7° LEOStarshieldEntered service, presumed activeNRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 11 Starshield satellites.
L-61SpikeUSA-26928 July 2016 12:37CCAFS, SLC-41Atlas V 42135,808 × 35,779 km × 2.8° (GSO)Quasar 20CommunicationsEntered service, presumed active
L-64-NET 2026CCSFS, SLC-41Vulcan CentaurAwaiting launch
L-65USA-24528 August 2013 18:03VAFB, SLC-6Delta IV Heavy991 × 275 km × 97.9° (LEO)KH-11 16Optical imagingEntered service, presumed active
L-66USA-2256 February 2011 12:26VAFB, SLC-8Minotaur I1,232 × 1,214 km × 90.1° (LEO)RPPTechnologyEntered service, status unknown
L-67USA-25010 April 2014 17:45CCAFS, SLC-41Atlas V 54135,811 × 35,777 km × 1.4° (GSO)SIGINT High Altitude Replenishment Program (SHARP-1)SIGINTEntered service, presumed active
L-68USA-34522 June 2023 09:18CCSFS, SLC-37BDelta IV HeavyOrion 11SIGINTEntered service, presumed active
L-69USA-49824 March 2025 17:48CCSFS, SLC-40Falcon 9 Block 5NOSSNaval reconnaissanceEntered service, presumed activeTwo classified satellites sharing a designation.
L-70USA-3539 April 2024 16:53CCSFS, SLC-37BDelta IV HeavyOrion 12SIGINTEntered service, status unknownLast launch of Delta family.
L-71USA-29019 January 2019 19:05VAFB, SLC-6Delta IV Heavy423 × 406 km × 73.6° (LEO)KH-11 17Optical imagingEntered service, presumed active
L-73-NLT 2026VSFB, SLC-3EVulcan CentaurAwaiting launch
L-76USA-2761 May 2017 11:15KSC, LC-39AFalcon 9 Full Thrust393 × 393 km × 50.0° (LEO)Entered service, presumed activeFirst NRO launch on SpaceX's Falcon 9 and first NRO launch from Kennedy Space Center. Originally intended to launch from SLC-40, but was moved to LC-39A following the AMOS-6 preclusion.
L-77USA-5709 December 2025 19:16CCSFS, SLC-40Falcon 9 Block 5NOSSNaval reconnaissanceEntered service, presumed active
L-79USA-2741 March 2017 17:50VAFB, SLC-3EAtlas V 4011,119 × 1,107 km × 63.4° (LEO)Intruder 12A & 12BNaval reconnaissanceEntered service, presumed activeTwo classified satellites sharing a designation.
L-82USA-31426 April 2021 20:47VAFB, SLC-6Delta IV Heavy794 × 535 km × 98.1° (LEO)KH-11 18Electro-optical surveillanceEntered service, presumed active
L-83-NET 2026VSFB, SLC-3EVulcan CentaurAwaiting launch
L-85USA-32717 April 2022 13:13VSFB, SLC-4EFalcon 9 Block 5LEO 63°Intruder 13A & 13BNaval reconnaissanceEntered service, presumed active
L-86-NLT 2027KSC, LC-39AFalcon HeavyAwaiting launch
L-87USA-3262 February 2022 20:27VSFB, SLC-4EFalcon 9 Block 5SSOEntered service, presumed active
L-88-NLT 2027CCSFS, SLC-41Vulcan CentaurAwaiting launch
L-91USA-33824 September 2022 22:25VSFB, SLC-6Delta IV HeavyLEOKH-11 19Electro-optical surveillanceEntered service, presumed active
L-96-NET 2027VSFB, SLC-4E or SLC-6Falcon 9 Block 5Awaiting launch
L-97-NET 2027KSC, LC-39AFalcon HeavyAwaiting launchSlated to be the first NRO launch on a Falcon Heavy.
L-100-NLT 2026VSFB, SLC-3EVulcan CentaurAwaiting launch
L-101USA-31013 November 2020 22:32CCAFS, SLC-41Atlas V 53111105 × 11081 km × 58.5° (MEO)Entered service, presumed active
L-105USA-572 - USA-58017 January 2026 04:39VSFB, SLC-4EFalcon 9 Block 5LEOStarshieldEntered service, presumed activeNRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 9 Starshield satellites.
L-107USA-346 USA-347 USA-34810 September 2023 12:47CCSFS, SLC-41Atlas V 551GSO 42464 × 41864 km × 0°SilentbarkerSituational awarenessEntered service, presumed activeThree satellites
L-108USA-312 USA-31319 December 2020 14:00KSC, LC-39AFalcon 9 Block 5540 × 528 km × 53°(LEO)Entered service, presumed activeTwo satellites, possibly SpaceX Starshield prototypes.
L-109-NLT 2026CCAFS, SLC-41Vulcan CentaurAwaiting launch
L-111USA-316 USA-317 USA-31815 June 2021 13:35 UTCMARS, LP-0BMinotaur ITechnologyEntered service, presumed activeThree satellites.
L-113USA-400 - USA-4206 September 2024 03:20VSFB, SLC-4EFalcon 9 Block 5LEOStarshieldEntered service, presumed activeNRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 21 Starshield satellites.
L-118-NLT 2026CCAFS, SLC-41Vulcan CentaurGSOSilentbarkerSituational awarenessAwaiting launch
L-123 (RASR-5)USA-352 MOLA Aerocube 16A Aerocube 16B21 March 2024 07:25 UTCMARS, LP-0CElectronLEOTechnologyEntered service, presumed activeRASR-5. Four satellites. First NRO launch on an Electron from Wallops, VA.
L-126USA 438, USA 33930 November 2024 8:10VSFB, SLC-4EFalcon 9 Block 5LEOStarshieldEntered service, presumed activeNRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 2 Starshield satellites with 20 Starlink Group N-01 satellites..
L-129USA-305 USA-306 USA-307 USA-30815 July 2020 13:46 UTCMARS, LP-0BMinotaur IV / Orion 38580 × 574 km × 54.0° (LEO)Entered service, presumed activeFour payloads. First NRO launch on a Minotaur IV and first from Virginia's Space Coast.
L-145USA-523 - USA-54420 April 2025 12:29VSFB, SLC-4EFalcon 9 Block 5LEOStarshieldEntered service, presumed activeNRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 22 Starshield satellites. First NRO Proliferated Architecture Mission launch in partnership with USSF under the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 contract.
L-146USA-354 - USA-37422 May 2024 08:00VSFB, SLC-4EFalcon 9 Block 5425 × 310 km × 69.7° LEOStarshieldEntered service, presumed activeNRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 21 Starshield satellites.
L-149USA-441 - USA-46217 December 2024 13:19VSFB, SLC-4EFalcon 9 Block 5425 × 310 km × 69.7° LEOStarshieldEntered service, presumed activeNRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 22 Starshield satellites.
L-151 (RASR-1)Deep DiveUSA-29431 January 2020 02:56Mahia, LC-1AElectron594 × 586 km × 70.0° (LEO)TechnologyEntered service, presumed activeFirst Rocket Lab Electron launch, first launch from outside the United States (New Zealand), and first launch procured under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program. Flew on Rocket Lab's "Birds of a Feather" mission.
L-153USA-463 - USA-48310 January 2025 03:53VSFB, SLC-4EFalcon 9 Block 5425 × 310 km × 69.7° LEOStarshieldEntered service, presumed activeNRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 21 Starshield satellites.
L-157-NET 2027VSFB, SLC-4E or SLC-6Falcon 9 Block 5Awaiting launch
L-162 (RASR-3)USA-33413 July 2022 06:30Mahia, LC-1AElectronEntered service, presumed activeRASR-3. Back-to-back launch under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program.
L-167USA-421 - USA-43724 October 2024 17:13VSFB, SLC-4EFalcon 9 Block 5LEOStarshieldEntered service, presumed activeNRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 17 Starshield satellites.
L-17212 May 2026 22:15VSFB, SLC-4EFalcon 9 Block 5LEOStarshieldAwaiting launch
L-174USA-521 - USA-52216 April 2025 19:33VSFB, SLC-8Minotaur IV / Orion 38LEOEntered service, presumed active
L-186USA-375 - USA-39529 June 2024 03:14VSFB, SLC-4EFalcon 9 Block 5LEOStarshieldEntered service, presumed activeNRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 21 Starshield satellites.
L-192USA-499 - USA-52012 April 2025 12:25VSFB, SLC-4EFalcon 9 Block 5LEOStarshieldEntered service, presumed activeNRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 22 Starshield satellites.
L-199 (RASR-4)USA-3354 August 2022 05:00Mahia, LC-1BElectronEntered service, presumed activeRASR-4. Back-to-back launch under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program.
RASR-2USA-301 USA-302 USA-30313 June 2020 05:12Mahia, LC-1AElectronEntered service, presumed activeThree technology demonstration smallsats. Primary customer of the rideshare mission procured under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program. Flew on Rocket Lab's "Don't Stop Me Now" mission.
UndesignatedIMPACT-2A and IMPACT-2B2 November 2019 13:59:47MARS, LP-0AAntaresTechnology demonstrationEntered service, presumed activeTwo technology demonstration CubeSats launched as part of the NRO's IMPACT program. Secondary payloads, launched with Cygnus NG-12.
Launch designationLaunch nameSatellite designationLaunch date/time (UTC)Launch siteRocketOrbitProjectFunctionStatusPatchRemarks

Gallery

  • NROL-5 Launch
  • NROL-22 Launch
  • NROL-21 Launch
  • Atlas V 411 before NROL-28 Launch
  • NROL-41 Launch
  • Delta IV Heavy before NROL-32 Launch
  • NROL-49 Launch
  • Minotaur I Before NROL-66 Launch
  • NROL-65 Launch
  • NROL-39 Launch
  • NROL-67 Launch
  • NROL-35 Launch
  • NROL-45 Launch
  • NROL-37 Launch
  • NROL-61 Launch
  • NROL-76 Launch
  • NROL-42 Launch
  • NROL-47 Launch
  • NROL-71 Launch
  • NROL-101 Launch
  • NROL-44 Launch
  • NROL-108 Launch
  • NROL-82 Launch
  • NROL-87 Launch
  • NROL-85 Launch
  • NROL-91 Launch
  • Rollout of Atlas V 511 before NROL-107 Launch
  • NROL-70 Launch
  • NROL-69 Launch
  • NROL-174 Launch

See also

Notes

External links

  • National Security Space Launch Report (pages 112)