MISSION NAME
Mercury 16 16
Status
Failure
DATE
12 AUG 1998
LAUNCH PROVIDER
United States Air Force
Launch Pad
Space Launch Complex 41
Description
The Mercury (MC) series, although known to the public as 'Advanced Vortex', are the latest generation of USAF ELINT/SIGINT satellites. They were focussed on communications intelligence (COMINT), focused at strategic level communications, but had the capability added to intercept also missile telemetry. These satellites were launched under the designation Program 7500 and were part of NRO's Program A.
Titan 401A Centaur
Rocket Description
Titan IV was a family of heavy-lift space launch vehicles developed by Martin Marietta and operated by the United States Air Force from 1989 to 2005.