Launch Overview
Vehicle
Titan 401A/Centaur
Agency
United States Air Force
Site / Pad
CC / LC41
Outcome
Success
Flight
K-16/TC-15 (45E-4)
COSPAR Designator
1996-026
Mission
Mercury 15 (Government/Top Secret)
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.
Vehicle & Provider
Rocket
Titan 401A Centaur
Provider
United States Air Force
Agency launches
964 (6 YTD)
Site launches
512 (6 YTD)
Pad launches
24 (1 YTD)