There was no firm information on this classified satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office. It was at first believed to be a follow-on to the SDS data relay satellites that routed reconnaissance satellite imaging to ground stations, with secondary missile warning or ELINT equipment. However it was inadvertently revealed in 1998 that at least one payload was a prototype COBRA BRASS infrared early warning satellite sensor. It was likely that it may have been a technology test satellite combining equipment for several future projects.

The project seemed to have been several years behind schedule (based on the launch vehicle serial number).

An Odetics Corporation press release of March 1998 inadvertently provided evidence that at least one payload was indeed a Cobra Brass prototype:

QUOTE:

Odetics SSR Operational In Space on Cobra Brass Payload

Anaheim, Calif. - March 15, 1998 - Odetics was informed today by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) that "the Cobra Brass payload containing an Odetics solid-state recorder (SSR) is fully operational in space." The SSR and payload have been undergoing extensive integration and testing since delivery of the SSR in 1996.

"The Cobra Brass solid-state recorder is one of several Model SSR 1620s delivered to SNL. The SSR 1620 is a unique dual-functioning SSR that can operate as two independent units or in parallel to provide over 400 Mbps record rate," explained Bob Tripp, business development manager for space data storage products. The Cobra Brass SSR supplied to SNL is nearly identical to the one Odetics provided SNL for the Multispectral Thermal Imager (MTI) mission scheduled for launch this year. "The main differentiating feature is in radiation tolerance," according to Mr. Tripp.

Odetics' Communication Division is an international supplier of highly reliable tape and solid-state recorders (SSR) for commercial and government space programs. Odetics has pioneered data storage in space since 1969 and delivered more than 350 space-qualified recorders for space missions. Recent new programs are Boeing's SBIRS/LADS and Japan's USERS. Odetics' headquarters are located in Anaheim, CA, with additional operations in Europe and Asia. For more information about its divisions and subsidiaries, visit the company's web site at http:/www.odetics.com/.

ENDQUOTE....

Typical orbit: 200 x 39500 km, 63.4 deg inclinaton. Associated Launch Vehicle: Atlas IIA.

• 1998 January 29 - USA 137 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Atlas IIA. Perigee: 200 km (120 mi). Apogee: 39,500 km (24,500 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg.

  Classified satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office. It was likely that it was a technology test satellite combining equipment for several future projects, including a prototype COBRA BRASS infrared early warning satellite sensor. The project seemed to have been several years behind schedule (based on the launch vehicle serial number.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Report (Internet Newsletter), Harvard University, Weekly, 1989 to Present. Essential internet newsletter recording worldwide weekly space events. Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Lockheed Martin Coporation, Atlas Family Fact Sheets, September 1998.. Accessed at: http://www.lmco.com/ILS/txtmain/ils_lsysinfo.htm.