Description : The Satellite Data System has the primary purpose of securely relaying data to and from lower-orbiting reconnaissance satellites to allow real-time data processing for critical operations. The low-orbiting NRO spacecraft include Keyhole optical imaging satellites, radar satellites such as Topaz and Lacrosse and low-orbiting electronic intelligence satellites. Additionally, the system is tasked with communications relay for airborne and ground-based Air Force Satellite Communications terminals with special focus on the polar regions. For that, the Satellite Data System uses a combination of satellites in a Geosynchronous Orbit and spacecraft in highly elliptical Molniya orbits that allow coverage of the polar regions.

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Space Event :

NROL 33 (QUASAR 19) · ATLAS 5(401)