Titan 401A Centaur
FailureMercury 16 · United States Air Force
Launch time (NET)
Wednesday, Aug 12, 1998, 11:30 UTC
Launch window
Wednesday, Aug 12, 1998, 11:30 UTC – Wednesday, Aug 12, 1998, 11:30 UTC
Provider
United States Air Force
Rocket
Launch pad
Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA · Open map
Status
Failure
Either the launch vehicle did not reach orbit, or the payload(s) failed to separate.
Mission
Mercury 16
Type
Government/Top Secret
Orbit
Geostationary Orbit (Direct-GEO)
The Mercury (MC) series, although known to the public as 'Advanced Vortex', are the latest generation of USAF ELINT/SIGINT satellites. They were focussed on communications intelligence (COMINT), focused at strategic level communications, but had the capability added to intercept also missile telemetry. These satellites were launched under the designation Program 7500 and were part of NRO's Program A.
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