Mission
Communications · Direct-GEO
The primary purpose of the SDS satellites is to relay imagery from low-flying reconnaissance satellites, notably the Keyhole optical reconnaissance and Lacrosse/Onyx radar reconnaissance satellites to ground stations in the United States.
What it put in orbit
| Object | Type | Orbit | Globe |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA 162 2001-046A | Payload | 35563 × 35606 km · 14.0° | Globe |
| ATLAS 2AS CENTAUR R/B 2001-046B | Rocket body | 0 × 0 km · 0.0° | Globe |
COSPAR ID 2001-046. Orbits from the CelesTrak satellite catalogue (perigee × apogee, inclination).