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Trumpet 6, 7 / SBIRS HEO-3, 4

These spacecraft are probably the next generation of the Trumpet and 'Trumpet-F/O' SIGINT satellites operating in a Molniya orbit. As no name is known, these are referred here as "Trumpet Follow On 2". Possibly these satellites might be named Raven.

These satellite most likely use a large, unfurlable dish antenna to collect the signals.

An official reported, that, although the satellite shares the same name with its precedessors, it is nearly 90% different in terms of technology.

Secondary Payloads

Trumpet 6 (or NROL 35) is the host for the SBIRS-HEO-3 early warning package. It also likely carries the EPS 1 (Enhanced Polar System) communication package, the polar component of AEHF (Advanced Extremely High Frequency).

Trumpet 7 (or NROL 42) likely carries the SBIRS-HEO-4 early warning package. Also likely the EPS 1 (Enhanced Polar System) communication package is onboard.

Note: The NROL designations refer to the launch, not to the payload.

Nation: USA
Type / Application: SIGINT, early warning
Operator: NRO
Contractors: ?
Equipment: ?
Configuration: ?
Propulsion: ?
Power:
Lifetime:
Mass:
Orbit: 2101 km × 37748 km, 62.8° (#1)
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
Trumpet 6 (USA 259, NROL 35, SBIRS HEO-3, EPS 1) 2014-081A 13.12.2014 Va SLC-3E Atlas-5(541)¹
Trumpet 7 (USA 278, NROL 42, SBIRS HEO-4, EPS 2) 2017-056A 24.09.2017 Va SLC-3E Atlas-5(541)¹
Further high orbit SIGINT missions:

Geostationary orbit COMINT (Canyon-Chalet-Vortex-Mercury series) Geostationary orbit SIGINT (Rhyolite-Aquacade-Magnum-Orion series) High elliptical orbit SIGINT (Jumpseat-Trumpet series) Other high orbit SIGINT

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