Launches
Five Lacrosse spacecraft have been launched, with three currently in orbit. The Lacrosses move in orbital planes either 68° or 57° inclined. These orbital inclinations of 68° and 57°, combined with their altitude give the satellites a complete view of the earth's surface, including the poles. Lacrosse 5 appears to differ somewhat from the previous four satellites. As determined by amateur observers, there are subtle differences in its orbit and its color is somewhat whiter than the distinct red-orange tint of the earlier ones. Most strikingly, it sometimes fades from brightness to invisibility within the space of a few seconds while still in full sunlight. (The amateurs call this rapid fade its "disappearing trick".)
| Name | COSPAR ID |
Launch date (UTC) |
Launch vehicle | Launch site | Launch designation | Orbit | Decay date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA-34 | 1988-106B |
2 December 1988 14:30:34 |
Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-27) |
KSC LC-39B | N/A | 437 km x 447 km x 57.0° | 25 March 1997 | |
| USA-69 | 1991-017A |
8 March 1991 12:03 |
Titan IV(403)A | VAFB SLC-4E | N/A | 420 km x 662 km x 68.0° | 26 March 2011 | First Titan IV launch from Vandenberg |
| USA-133 | 1997-064A |
24 October 1997 02:32 |
Titan IV(403)A | VAFB SLC-4E | NROL-3 | 666 km x 679 km x 57.0° | in orbit | |
| USA-152 | 2000-047A |
17 August 2000 23:45:01 |
Titan IV(403)B | VAFB SLC-4E | NROL-11 | 695 km x 689 km x 68.0° | in orbit | After initial orbit, minor adjustments were made, sending it to 675 km x 572 km x 68.1°. |
| USA-182 | 2005-016A |
30 April 2005 00:50:00 |
Titan IV(403)B | CCAFS SLC-40 | NROL-16 | 712 km x 718 km x 57.0° | in orbit | Final Titan launch from Cape Canaveral |
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