The Mentor satellites (Name has been reported, but is not confirmed. They are generally known as 'Advanced Orion') are geostationary signals intelligence satellites, which replaced the Magnum / Orion series. Their purpose is to intercept communications transmissions, especially line-of-sight microwave links and missile telemetry interception, from Russia and China.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | ELINT |
| Operator: | USAF |
| Contractors: | ? |
| Equipment: | ? |
| Configuration: | Large Dish Antenna, 3-Axis-Stabilization |
| Propulsion: | ? |
| Power: | |
| Lifetime: | ? |
| Mass: | ? |
| Orbit: | GEO |
| Satellite | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mentor 1 (USA 110) | 14.05.1995 | CC LC-40 | Titan-4(01)A Centaur-T | ||
| Mentor 2 (USA 139, NROL 6) | 08.05.1998 | CC LC-40 | Titan-4(01)B Centaur-T | ||
| Mentor 3 (USA 171, NROL 19) | 09.09.2003 | CC LC-40 | Titan-4(01)B Centaur-T | ||
| Mentor 4 (USA 202, NROL 26) | 18.01.2009 | CC LC-37B | Delta-4H | ||
| Mentor 5 (USA 223, NROL 32) | 21.11.2010 | CC LC-37B | Delta-4H |
