NOSS-3

NOSS-3 (Naval Ocean Surveillance System), which is likely not the official designation, is the third generation of NOSS satellites. These satellites carry equipment to track ships and aircraft via their radio transmissions. Positions of the origin of the transmissions are determined by triangulation. Each launch consists of two satellites of similar size in the same orbit. Both satellites maneuver to stationkeep relative to one another.

In contrast to the earlier first and second generation NOSS, it features only two satellites. Notably absent is also the dispenser unit, which deployed the earlier generations. Like the earlier generations, it features the same orbit. Each pair has reportedly a combined wight of 6500 kg.

The fourth launch was left in a slightly too low orbit, as the Centaur upper stage shut down too early during the second burn. The payload was able to reach it's intended orbit on its own propulsion system. Due to this problem the launch vehicle configuration was changed from Atlas-5(401) to Atlas-5(411) to allow a single burn mission for greater reliability.