Trumpet (satellite)

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

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
Name COSPAR ID[6] Launch date Launch vehicle Launch site Launch designation Orbit Remarks
First generation
USA-1031994-026A3 May 1994Titan IV (401)ACCAFS SLC-41N/A
USA-1121995-034A10 July 1995Titan IV (401)ACCAFS SLC-41N/A
USA-1361997-068A8 November 1997Titan IV (401)ACCAFS SLC-41NROL-4
Second generation
USA-1842006-027A28 June 2006Delta IV M+(4,2)VAFB SLC-6NROL-22Carries TWINS-A and SBIRS HEO-1 payloads
USA-2002008-010A13 March 2008Atlas V 411VAFB SLC-3ENROL-281,112 km x 35,780 km x 63.6°[5]Carries TWINS-B and SBIRS HEO-2 payloads
Third generation
USA-2592014-081A13 December 2014Atlas V 541VAFB SLC-3ENROL-35TBDCarries SBIRS HEO-3 payload
USA-2782017-056A24 September 2017[7]Atlas V 541VAFB SLC-3ENROL-42TBDWill probably carry another SBIRS payload

Cost

In 1994, the cost of Trumpet 1 (excluding launch vehicle) were estimated to more than US$1.5 billion (inflation adjusted more than US$ 2.6 billion in 2021).[8]

See also

References
  1. "Second Titan IV of 1994 orbits SIGINT satellite. (Jeroboam signal intelligence satellite launched for National Reconnaissance Office)", Defense Daily, May 4, 1994
  2. "Riesige Lauscher am Himmel | ZEIT ONLINE". Zeit.de. 1995-07-28. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  3. "Shuttle and Mir". Planet4589.org. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  4. "USA 103". NASA. 2010-10-08.
  5. "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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