Launch Overview
Vehicle
Titan 401A/Centaur
Agency
United States Air Force
Site / Pad
CC / LC40
Outcome
Success
Flight
K-23/TC-17 (45E-8)
COSPAR Designator
1995-022
Mission
Orion 3 (Government/Top Secret)
The Orion 3 and 4 (RIO 3, 4) satellites, which are generally known as 'Advanced Orion' or 'Mentor', are geostationary signals intelligence satellites, which replaced the Magnum / Orion series. Their purpose is to intercept missile telemetry from Russia and China and the COMINT capability of the Mercury satellites was merged into this series. These satellites are launched under the designation Program 7600.
Vehicle & Provider
Rocket
Titan 401A Centaur
Provider
United States Air Force
Agency launches
952 (4 YTD)
Site launches
495 (5 YTD)
Pad launches
41 (1 YTD)