# List of NRO launches

This is a list of NRO Launch (NROL) designations for satellites operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office. Those missions are generally classified, so that their exact purposes and orbital elements are not published.
However, amateur astronomers have managed to observe most of the satellites, and leaked information has led to the identification of many of the payloads.

## Launch statistics
### Launch vehicle families

* Titan
* Atlas
* Taurus/Minotaur
* Delta
* Falcon
* Electron
* Antares

### Launch sites

* Vandenberg (CA)
* Cape Canaveral (FL)
* Kennedy (FL)
* Wallops Island (VA)
* Mahia (New Zealand)

## Launch history

| Launch designation | Payload nickname | Satellite designation | Date/time, UTC | Launch site | Rocket | Orbit | Project | Function | Status | Patch | Remarks |
| L-1 | Nemesis | USA-179 | 31 August 2004 23:17 | CCAFS, SLC-36A | Atlas IIAS | 39,053 × 1,316 km × 63.7° (Molniya) | Quasar 15 | Communications | Entered service, status unknown | | |
| L-2 | | USA-129 | 20 December 1996 18:04 | VAFB, SLC-4E | Titan IV | LEO | KH-11 12 | Optical imaging | Deorbited | | Reentered on 1 May 2014. |
| L-3 | | USA-133 | 24 October 1997 02:32 | VAFB, SLC-4E | Titan IV | 679 × 666 km × 57° (LEO) | Lacrosse 3 | Synthetic-aperture radar | Deorbited | | |
| L-4 | Oscar | USA-136 | 8 November 1997 02:05 | CCAFS, SLC-41 | Titan IV/Centaur | 36,523 × 3,849 km × 63.6° (Molniya) | Trumpet 3 | ELINT | Entered service, status unknown | | |
| L-5 | Capricorn | USA-137 | 29 January 1998 18:37 | CCAFS, SLC-36A | Atlas IIA | Molniya | Quasar 12 | Communications | Entered service, status unknown | | |
| L-6 | Jack | USA-139 | 9 May 1998 01:38 | CCAFS, SLC-40 | Titan IV/Centaur | 35,945 × 35,642 km × 8.4° (GSO) | Orion 4 | SIGINT | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-7 | Elwood | N/A | 12 August 1998 11:30 | CCAFS, SLC-41 | Titan IV/Centaur | GSO (planned) | Mercury | ELINT | Destroyed | "Cheers! Saving the Best for Last!!" | Rocket self-destructed 40 seconds into launch due to guidance problem. |
| L-8 | | USA-140, USA-141 | 3 October 1998 10:04 | VAFB, LC-576E | Taurus 1110 | LEO | STEX | Technology | Entered service, status unknown | | ATEX experiment jettisoned on 16 January 1999 and catalogued as USA-141. |
| L-9 | | USA-144 | 22 May 1999 09:36 | VAFB, SLC-4E | Titan IVB | | Misty | Optical imaging | Entered service, status unknown | | First Titan IV-B launch from VAFB. |
| L-10 | Ursa Major (Great Bear) | USA-155 | 6 December 2000 02:47 | CCAFS, SLC-36A | Atlas IIAS | 35,854 × 35,732 km × 9.3° (GSO) | Quasar 13 | Communications | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-11 | Onyx / Vega | USA-152 | 17 August 2000 23:45 | VAFB, SLC-4E | Titan IVB | 695 × 689 km × 68° (LEO) | Lacrosse 4 | SAR | Deorbited | | |
| L-12 | Aquila | USA-162 | 11 October 2001 02:32 | CCAFS, SLC-36B | Atlas IIAS | 35,803 × 35,785 km × 10.9° (GSO) | Quasar 14 | Communications | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-13 | Gemini | USA-160 | 8 September 2001 15:25 | VAFB, SLC-3E | Atlas IIAS | 1,486 × 740 km × 63.4° (LEO) | Intruder 5A & 5B | Naval reconnaissance | Entered service, status unknown | | Two satellites. |
| L-14 | | USA-161 | 5 October 2001 21:21 | VAFB, SLC-4E | Titan IVB | LEO | KH-11 13 | Optical reconnaissance | Deorbited | | Reentered in November 2014. |
| L-15 | | USA-237 | 29 June 2012 13:15 | CCAFS, SLC-37B | Delta IV Heavy (first RS-68A upgrade) | 35,960 × 35,628 km × 2.8° (GSO) | Orion 8 | SIGINT | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-16 | Prometheus | USA-182 | 30 April 2005 00:50 | CCAFS, SLC-40 | Titan IVB | 728 × 725 km × 57.0° (LEO) | Lacrosse 5 | SAR | Deorbited | | |
| L-17 | GeoLITE | USA-158 | 18 May 2001 17:45 | CCAFS, SLC-17B | Delta II 7925-9.5 | GSO | GeoLITE | Technology demonstration | Retired | | Boosted to graveyard orbit after end of mission. Testbed for experimental laser and UHF communications payloads. |
| L-18 | Libra | USA-173 | 2 December 2003 10:04 | VAFB, SLC-3E | Atlas IIAS | 1,435 × 786 km × 63.4° (LEO) | Intruder 6A & B | Naval reconnaissance | Entered service, status unknown | | Two satellites. |
| L-19 | Homer | USA-171 | 9 September 2003 04:29 | CCAFS, SLC-40 | Titan IVB-Centaur | 35,995 × 35,592 km × 11.4° (GSO) | Orion 5 | SIGINT | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-20 | | USA-186 | 19 October 2005 18:05 | VAFB, SLC-4E | Titan IVB | 473 × 268 km × 96.9° (LEO) | KH-11 14 | Optical imaging | Entered service, presumed active | | Last launch of a Titan rocket. |
| L-21 | | USA-193 | 14 December 2006 21:00 | VAFB, SLC-2W | Delta II 7920-10 | LEO | Unknown | Unknown | Destroyed | | Failed on orbit immediately after launch. Destroyed by ASAT on 21 February 2008. |
| L-22 | | USA-184 | 28 June 2006 03:33 | VAFB, SLC-6 | Delta IV M+(4,2) | 38,628 × 1,740 km × 63° (Molniya) | Improved Trumpet 4 | ELINT | Entered service, status unknown | | |
| L-23 | Canis Minor | USA-181 | 3 February 2005 07:41 | CCAFS, SLC-36B | Atlas IIIB | 1,404 × 822 km × 63.4° (LEO) | Intruder 7A & 7B | Naval reconnaissance | Entered service, status unknown | | Two satellites. |
| L-24 | Scorpius | USA-198 | 10 December 2007 22:05 | CCAFS, SLC-41 | Atlas V 401 | 39,899 × 461 km × 63.4° (Molniya) | Quasar 16 | Communications | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-25 | Altair | USA-234 | 3 April 2012 23:12 | VAFB, SLC-6 | Delta IV M+ (5,2) | 1,112 × 1,109 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO) | Topaz 2 | Radar imaging | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-26 | | USA-202 | 18 January 2009 02:47 | CCAFS, SLC-37B | Delta IV Heavy | 35,814 × 35,774 km × 6.1° (GSO) | Orion 6 | SIGINT | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-27 | Gryphon | USA-227 | 11 March 2011 23:38 | CCAFS, SLC-37B | Delta IV M+(4,2) | 35,810 × 35,778 km × 4.6° (GSO) | Quasar 17 | Communications | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-28 | | USA-200 | 13 March 2008 10:02 | VAFB, SLC-3E | Atlas V 411 | 38,009 × 2,362 km × 63.2° (Molniya) | Improved Trumpet 5 | ELINT | Entered service, status unknown | | |
| L-29 | | N/A | | VAFB, SLC-3E | Atlas V 521 | | | | Canceled | | |
| L-30 | Pyxis | USA-194 | 15 June 2007 15:12 | CCAFS, SLC-41 | Atlas V 401 | 1,347 × 879 km × 63.4° (LEO) | Intruder 8A & 8B | Naval reconnaissance | Entered service, presumed active | | Two satellites. Premature 2nd stage cutoff during launch. Lifetime reduced by need to correct orbit. |
| L-32 | | USA-223 | 21 November 2010 22:58 | CCAFS, SLC-37B | Delta IV Heavy | 35,979 × 35,609 km × 4.6° (GSO) | Orion 7 | SIGINT | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-33 | | USA-252 | 22 May 2014 13:09 | CCAFS, SLC-41 | Atlas V 401 | 35,810 × 35,778 km × 2.7° (GSO) | Quasar 19 | Communications | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-34 | Odin | USA-229 | 15 April 2011 04:24 | VAFB, SLC-3E | Atlas V 411 | 1,261 × 965 km × 63.4° (LEO) | Intruder 9A & 9B | Naval reconnaissance | Entered service, presumed active | | Two satellites. |
| L-35 | Jacquelyn | USA-259 | 13 December 2014 03:19 | VAFB, SLC-3E | Atlas V 541 | 39,083 × 1,286 km × 63.4° (Molniya) | Trumpet 6 (third generation) | ELINT | Entered service, presumed active | | First flight of the RL10C-1 rocket engine, used by the Centaur upper stage |
| L-36 | | USA-238 | 13 September 2012 21:39 | VAFB, SLC-3E | Atlas V 401 | 1,225 × 1,001 km × 63.4° (LEO) | Intruder 10A & 10B | Naval reconnaissance | Entered service, presumed active | | Two satellites sharing a designation. |
| L-37 | | USA-268 | 11 June 2016 17:51 | CCAFS, SLC-37B | Delta IV Heavy | 35,993 × 35,594 km × 6.5° (GSO) | Orion 9 | SIGINT | Entered service, presumed active | | Likely the seventh so called Mentor/Orion satellite for the National Security Agency. |
| L-38 | Drake | USA-236 | 20 June 2012 12:28 | CCAFS, SLC-41 | Atlas V 401 | 35,815 × 35,773 km × 3.1° (GSO) | Quasar 18 | Communications | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-39 | | USA-247 | 6 December 2013 07:14 | VAFB, SLC-3E | Atlas V 501 | 1,113 × 1,109 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO) | Topaz 3 | Radar imaging | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-41 | Gladys | USA-215 | 21 September 2010 04:03 | VAFB, SLC-3E | Atlas V 501 | 1,112 × 1,109 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO) | Topaz 1 | Radar imaging | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-42 | | USA-278 | 24 September 2017 05:49:47 | VAFB, SLC-3E | Atlas V 541 | 39,230 × 1,138 km × 63.6° (Molniya) | Trumpet 7 (third generation) | ELINT | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-44 | | USA-311 | 11 December 2020 01:09 | CCSFS, SLC-37B | Delta IV Heavy | 35,992 × 35,596 km × 7.6° (GSO) | Orion 10 | SIGINT | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-45 | | USA-267 | 10 February 2016 11:40 | VAFB, SLC-6 | Delta IV M+(5,2) | 1,115 × 1,106 km × 123° (Retrograde LEO) | Topaz 4 | Radar imaging | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-47 | | USA-281 | 12 January 2018 22:11 | VAFB, SLC-6 | Delta IV M+(5,2) | 1,088 × 1,085 km × 106° (Retrograde LEO) | Topaz 5 | Radar imaging | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-49 | Betty | USA-224 | 20 January 2011 21:10 | VAFB, SLC-6 | Delta IV Heavy | 1,003 × 262 km × 97.9° (LEO) | KH-11 15 | Optical imaging | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-52 | | USA-279 | 15 October 2017 07:28 | CCAFS, SLC-41 | Atlas V 421 | 35,810 × 35,778 km × 3.2° (GSO) | Quasar 21 | Communications | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-55 | | USA-264 | 8 October 2015 12:49 | VAFB, SLC-3E | Atlas V 401 | 1,150 × 1,076 km × 63.4° (LEO) | Intruder 11A & 11B | Naval reconnisance | Entered service, presumed active | | Two classified satellites (NROL-55) and 13 CubeSats. |
| L-56 | | - | NLT 2026 | CCAFS, SLC-41 | Vulcan Centaur | | | | Awaiting launch | | |
| L-61 | Spike | USA-269 | 28 July 2016 12:37 | CCAFS, SLC-41 | Atlas V 421 | 35,808 × 35,779 km × 2.8° (GSO) | Quasar 20 | Communications | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-64 | | - | NET 2025 | CCSFS, SLC-41 | Vulcan Centaur | | | | Awaiting launch | | |
| L-65 | | USA-245 | 28 August 2013 18:03 | VAFB, SLC-6 | Delta IV Heavy | 991 × 275 km × 97.9° (LEO) | KH-11 16 | Optical imaging | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-66 | | USA-225 | 6 February 2011 12:26 | VAFB, SLC-8 | Minotaur I | 1,232 × 1,214 km × 90.1° (LEO) | RPP | Technology | Entered service, status unknown | | |
| L-67 | | USA-250 | 10 April 2014 17:45 | CCAFS, SLC-41 | Atlas V 541 | 35,811 × 35,777 km × 1.4° (GSO) | SIGINT High Altitude Replenishment Program (SHARP-1) | SIGINT | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-68 | | USA-345 | 22 June 2023 09:18 | CCSFS, SLC-37B | Delta IV Heavy | | Orion 11 | SIGINT | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-69 | | - | NET 24 March 2025 | CCSFS, SLC-40 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | | | | Awaiting launch | | |
| L-70 | | - | 9 April 2024 | CCSFS, SLC-37B | Delta IV Heavy | | Orion 12 | SIGINT | Entered service, status unknown | | Last launch of Delta family |
| L-71 | | USA-290 | 19 January 2019 19:05 | VAFB, SLC-6 | Delta IV Heavy | 423 × 406 km × 73.6° (LEO) | KH-11 17 | Optical imaging | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-73 | | - | NLT 2026 | VSFB, SLC-3E | Vulcan Centaur | | | | Awaiting launch | | |
| L-76 | | USA-276 | 1 May 2017 11:15 | KSC, LC-39A | Falcon 9 Full Thrust | 393 × 393 km × 50.0° (LEO) | | | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-77 | | - | NLT 2026 | CCSFS or KSC | Falcon 9 Block 5 | | | | Awaiting launch | | |
| L-79 | | USA-274 | 1 March 2017 17:50 | VAFB, SLC-3E | Atlas V 401 | 1,119 × 1,107 km × 63.4° (LEO) | Intruder 12A & 12B | Naval reconnaissance | Entered service, presumed active | | Two classified satellites sharing a designation. |
| L-82 | | USA-314 | 26 April 2021 20:47 | VAFB, SLC-6 | Delta IV Heavy | 794 × 535 km × 98.1° (LEO) | KH-11 18 | Electro-optical surveillance | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-83 | | - | NET 2025 | VSFB, SLC-3E | Vulcan Centaur | | | | Awaiting launch | | |
| L-85 | | USA-327 | 17 April 2022 13:13 | VSFB, SLC-4E | Falcon 9 Block 5 | LEO 63° | Intruder 13A & 13B | Naval reconnaissance | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-87 | | USA-326 | 2 February 2022 20:27 | VSFB, SLC-4E | Falcon 9 Block 5 | SSO | | | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-91 | | USA-338 | 24 September 2022 22:25 | VSFB, SLC-6 | Delta IV Heavy | LEO | KH-11 19 | Electro-optical surveillance | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-100 | | - | NLT 2026 | VSFB, SLC-3E | Vulcan Centaur | | | | Awaiting launch | | |
| L-101 | | USA-310 | 13 November 2020 22:32 | CCAFS, SLC-41 | Atlas V 531 | 11105 × 11081 km × 58.5° (MEO) | | | Entered service, presumed active | | |
| L-107 | | USA-346 USA-347 USA-348 | 10 September 2023 12:47 | CCSFS, SLC-41 | Atlas V 551 | GSO 42464 × 41864 km × 0° | Silentbarker | Situational awareness | Entered service, presumed active | | Three satellites |
| L-108 | | USA-312 USA-313 | 19 December 2020 14:00 | KSC, LC-39A | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 540 × 528 km × 53°(LEO) | | | Entered service, presumed active | | Two satellites, possibly SpaceX Starshield prototypes. |
| L-109 | | - | NLT 2026 | CCAFS, SLC-41 | Vulcan Centaur | | | | Awaiting launch | | |
| L-111 | | USA-316 USA-317 USA-318 | 15 June 2021 13:35 UTC | MARS, LP-0B | Minotaur I | | | Technology | Entered service, presumed active | | Three satellites. |
| L-113 | | USA-400 - USA-420 | 6 September 2024 03:20 | VSFB, SLC-4E | Falcon 9 Block 5 | LEO | | | Entered service, presumed active | | NRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 21 Starshield satellites. |
| L-118 | | - | NLT 2026 | CCAFS, SLC-41 | Vulcan Centaur | GSO | Silentbarker | Situational awareness | Awaiting launch | | |
| L-123 (RASR-5) | | USA-352 MOLA Aerocube 16A Aerocube 16B | 21 March 2024 07:25 UTC | MARS, LP-0C | Electron | LEO | | Technology | Entered service, presumed active | | RASR-5. Four satellites. First NRO launch on an Electron from Wallops, VA. |
| L-126 | | USA 438, USA 339 | 30 November 2024 8:10 | VSFB, SLC-4E | Falcon 9 Block 5 | LEO | | | Entered service, presumed active | | NRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 2 Starshield satellites with 20 Starlink Group N-01 satellites.. |
| L-129 | | USA-305 USA-306 USA-307 USA-308 | 15 July 2020 13:46 UTC | MARS, LP-0B | Minotaur IV / Orion 38 | 580 × 574 km × 54.0° (LEO) | | | Entered service, presumed active | | Four payloads. First NRO launch on a Minotaur IV and first from Virginia's Space Coast. |
| L-146 | | USA-354 - USA-374 | 22 May 2024 08:00 | VSFB, SLC-4E | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 425 × 310 km × 69.7° LEO | | | Entered service, presumed active | | NRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 21 Starshield satellites. |
| L-149 | | USA-441 - USA-462 | 17 December 2024 13:19 | VSFB, SLC-4E | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 425 × 310 km × 69.7° LEO | | | Entered service, presumed active | | NRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 22 Starshield satellites. |
| L-151 (RASR-1) | Deep Dive | USA-294 | 31 January 2020 02:56 | Mahia, LC-1A | Electron | 594 × 586 km × 70.0° (LEO) | | Technology | Entered service, presumed active | | First Rocket Lab Electron launch, first launch from outside the United States (New Zealand), and first launch procured under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program. Flew on Rocket Lab's "Birds of a Feather" mission. |
| L-153 | | USA-463 - USA-483 | 10 January 2025 03:53 | VSFB, SLC-4E | Falcon 9 Block 5 | 425 × 310 km × 69.7° LEO | | | Entered service, presumed active | | NRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 21 Starshield satellites. |
| L-162 (RASR-3) | | USA-334 | 13 July 2022 06:30 | Mahia, LC-1A | Electron | | | | Entered service, presumed active | | RASR-3. Back-to-back launch under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program. |
| L-167 | | USA-421 - USA-437 | 24 October 2024 17:13 | VSFB, SLC-4E | Falcon 9 Block 5 | LEO | | | Entered service, presumed active | | NRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 17 Starshield satellites. |
| L-174 | | - | NET 2025, | VSFB, SLC-8 | Minotaur IV / Orion 38 | | | | Awaiting launch | | |
| L-186 | | USA-375 - USA-395 | 29 June 2024 03:14 | VSFB, SLC-4E | Falcon 9 Block 5 | LEO | | | Entered service, presumed active | | NRO's Proliferated Architecture Mission of 21 Starshield satellites. |
| L-199 (RASR-4) | | USA-335 | 4 August 2022 05:00 | Mahia, LC-1B | Electron | | | | Entered service, presumed active | | RASR-4. Back-to-back launch under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program. |
| RASR-2 | | USA-301 USA-302 USA-303 | 13 June 2020 05:12 | Mahia, LC-1A | Electron | | | | Entered service, presumed active | | Three technology demonstration smallsats. Primary customer of the rideshare mission procured under NRO's Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) program. Flew on Rocket Lab's "Don't Stop Me Now" mission. |
| Undesignated | | IMPACT-2A and IMPACT-2B | 2 November 2019 13:59:47 | MARS, Pad 0A | Antares | | | Technology demonstration | Entered service, presumed active | | Two technology demonstration CubeSats launched as part of the NRO's IMPACT program. Secondary payloads, launched with Cygnus NG-12. |
| Launch designation | Launch name | Satellite designation | Launch date/time (UTC) | Launch site | Rocket | Orbit | Project | Function | Status | Patch | Remarks |