RPP [NRO]
RPP (Rapid Pathfinder Program) is a secret technological development satellite of the NRO.
The NRO said, RPP part of a science and technology development effort to lay the groundwork for future systems, but did not publish any specifics. Reportedly it is a small, low-cost bus carrying advanced technology component payloads. 95% of the satellite are heritage parts. The satellite structure measures 50 × 50 × 50 cm and weights 235 kg with payload. The payload consists of advanced dosimeters to characterize the space environment from a 1,200 km orbit.
Rapid Pathfinder went from program design review to launch ready in less than two years at a cost of less than $20M. It was built on an Aquila-M1 bus by Millennium Space Systems, Torrance, California. The company also integrated the classified instruments with the bus.
The satellite was successfully launched in February 2011 on a Minotaur-1 booster from Vandenberg AFB. It was still operational in January 2014.
Note: The NROL designations refer to the launch, not to the payload.
Nation: | USA |
---|---|
Type / Application: | Experimental |
Operator: | NRO |
Contractors: | Millennium Space Systems |
Equipment: | |
Configuration: | Aquila-M1 bus |
Propulsion: | |
Power: | Solar cells, batteries |
Lifetime: | |
Mass: | 235 kg |
Orbit: | 1201 km × 1230 km, 90° |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RPP (USA 225, NROL 66) | 2011-006A | 06.02.2011 | Va SLC-8 | Minotaur-1 |