What is the common designation for the classified United States government satellite USA-280?

The classified United States government satellite USA-280 is commonly known by its codename, "Zuma". This codename is often used in discussions and reporting about the mission.

What type of satellite was USA-280, according to its short description?

USA-280 was classified as a United States government satellite, indicating its operation and ownership by the U.S. government for official purposes.

Which company was responsible for launching the Zuma satellite?

The Zuma satellite was launched by SpaceX, a prominent private aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company.

On what date did the Zuma satellite launch?

The Zuma satellite was launched on January 8, 2018, at 01:00 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

What rocket model was used to launch the Zuma satellite?

The Zuma satellite was launched aboard a Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket, which was the 47th flight of this SpaceX launch vehicle.

Which U.S. government agency oversaw the Zuma project?

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) was in charge of the Zuma project. The NRO is responsible for designing, building, launching, and operating the United States' intelligence-gathering satellites.

What is the disclosed purpose of the Zuma satellite?

The purpose of the Zuma satellite has not been publicly disclosed, indicating that it was part of a classified mission.

What was the estimated development cost for the Zuma satellite?

The development cost for the Zuma satellite was reported to be approaching US$3.5 billion, highlighting the significant investment in this classified project.

According to reports, how sensitive was the Zuma satellite's design?

The design of the Zuma satellite was reported to be very sensitive to vibration and sudden shocks, suggesting specific operational requirements or fragility.

What did unnamed sources claim happened to the Zuma satellite after its launch?

Following the launch, unnamed sources stated that the satellite was lost during deployment and subsequently re-entered the Earth's atmosphere.

What did independent investigations suggest was the likely cause of the Zuma spacecraft's failure?

Independent investigations concluded that the Zuma spacecraft likely failed to separate from its payload adapter, which is the component connecting it to the rocket's upper stage.

What did SpaceX apply to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for in September 2017 related to the Zuma mission?

SpaceX applied to the FCC for special temporary authority to transmit signals at 2.2 GHz during the launch of "Mission 1390," which was the Zuma mission.

What was the initial launch site and pad designated for the Zuma mission?

The Zuma satellite was initially scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A).

What was the license number issued for the Zuma rocket's launch by the Office of Commercial Space Transportation?

The launch license for the Zuma rocket was identified as LLS 17-104.

What component did Northrop Grumman purchase to customize the Zuma satellite's release mechanism?

Northrop Grumman purchased a payload adapter to customize the release mechanism for the Zuma satellite.

What event led to a delay in the Zuma launch, stemming from a payload fairing test for another customer?

Results from a payload fairing test conducted for a different customer led to a delay of nearly two months for the Zuma launch.

On what date was the launch license for Zuma re-issued with a change of launchpad?

The launch license was re-issued on December 22, 2017, with a change of the launchpad from LC-39A to Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40).

What weather phenomenon caused a further delay to the Zuma launch in January 2018?

The Zuma launch was further delayed due to weather concerns related to the January 2018 North American blizzard.

From which launch complex at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was the Zuma satellite launched?

The Zuma satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40).

What happened to the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket after launching Zuma?

The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket successfully landed at Landing Zone 1 after the Zuma launch.

What did SpaceX report regarding the performance of the launch vehicle for the Zuma mission?

SpaceX announced that all data indicated the launch vehicle had performed properly, suggesting the rocket itself functioned as intended.

What unusual visual phenomenon was observed in Sudan, attributed to the re-entering upper stage of the rocket?

A spiral-shaped fuel dump was observed in Sudan, attributed to the re-entering upper stage of the Falcon 9 rocket.

What is the official status of the Zuma spacecraft's fate according to the article?

The article states that the fate of the Zuma spacecraft is not publicly known, and the U.S. government has not officially confirmed its status.

What did unnamed government officials claim about the Zuma satellite's re-entry?

Unnamed government officials claimed that the Zuma satellite had re-entered the atmosphere over the Indian Ocean, possibly due to a failure in the payload adapter.

What did The Wall Street Journal report about sensors and the initial failure to detach the payload adapter?

The Wall Street Journal reported that sensors had not initially reported the failure of the Zuma satellite to detach from the payload adapter.

What eventually happened with the Zuma satellite and the payload adapter, according to later reports?

Later reports indicated that the Zuma satellite did eventually detach from the payload adapter, but only after the orbit was too low to attempt a rescue.

What did Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX, state about the Falcon 9's performance during the Zuma launch?

Gwynne Shotwell stated that the Falcon 9 performed correctly and that any information contrary to this was false, while also noting the classified nature of the payload prevented further comment.

How did Northrop Grumman's Communications Director respond to inquiries about the Zuma mission's status?

Northrop Grumman's Communications Director stated that the company could not comment on the status of classified missions.

What action was taken regarding the Zuma mission patch sales following reports of the satellite's loss?

The Zuma mission patch was removed from sale in the Air Force Space and Missile Museum's souvenir shop and from online sales.

What did The Wall Street Journal report in April 2018 concerning investigations into the Zuma failure?

In April 2018, The Wall Street Journal reported that two independent investigations tentatively concluded that the spacecraft failed due to errors introduced by Northrop Grumman in modifying the payload adapter.

Who was identified as potentially responsible for the errors that led to the Zuma satellite's failure?

Investigations pointed to errors introduced by Northrop Grumman, specifically in the modification of the payload adapter purchased from a subcontractor, as the cause of the Zuma satellite's failure.

What is the official designation of the Zuma satellite in the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) catalog?

NORAD still lists the Zuma satellite but provides no orbital parameters, using the status code 'no elements available,' which is standard for classified missions.

What does the orbital status code 'no elements available' typically signify for a satellite in NORAD's catalog?

The 'no elements available' status code is standard procedure for classified missions, indicating that orbital data is not publicly shared.

What has the U.S. government officially stated regarding the success or failure of the Zuma mission?

The U.S. government has not publicly stated whether the Zuma mission was a success or a failure.

What effect has the secrecy surrounding the Zuma mission had on public discourse?

The secrecy surrounding the Zuma mission has generated speculation about its purpose and its ultimate fate.

What did the amateur satellite tracking community suggest about locating Zuma if it were still operational?

Articles from the amateur satellite tracking community suggested that if the satellite were still in orbit or operating covertly, it would likely be visually locatable.

What unexpected discovery did amateur astronomers make while searching for the Zuma satellite?

While searching for Zuma, amateur astronomers instead detected radio transmissions from the NASA satellite IMAGE, which had been lost since 2005.

What is the COSPAR ID assigned to the Zuma satellite?

The COSPAR ID assigned to the Zuma satellite is 2018-001A.

What is the SATCAT number associated with the Zuma satellite?

The SATCAT number for the Zuma satellite is 43098.

What was the mission type designated for the Zuma satellite?

The mission type for the Zuma satellite was designated as Military and classified.

Who was the operator of the Zuma satellite on behalf of the U.S. government?

Northrop Grumman operated the Zuma satellite for the U.S. government.

What company manufactured the Zuma satellite?

Northrop Grumman manufactured the Zuma satellite.

What was the intended orbital regime for the Zuma satellite?

The Zuma satellite was intended for a Low Earth orbit regime.

What was the approximate orbital inclination of the Zuma satellite?

The approximate orbital inclination of the Zuma satellite was 51 degrees.

What alternative designations are listed for the Zuma satellite?

The Zuma satellite is also designated as USA-280 and Mission 1390.

What was the purpose of the SpaceX webcast of the Zuma launch?

The SpaceX webcast provided live footage of the Zuma satellite's launch, allowing the public to view the event.

What does the Zuma mission patch depict?

The Zuma mission patch is a visual representation associated with the mission, though its specific design elements are not detailed in the text.

What was the primary role of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in the Zuma mission?

The NRO was responsible for the Zuma project, overseeing its development and likely its operational objectives.

What was the specific launch vehicle flight number for the Zuma mission?

The Zuma satellite was launched on the 47th flight of the Falcon 9 rocket.

What was the purpose of the FCC application filed by SpaceX in September 2017 regarding the Zuma mission?

The FCC application was to obtain special temporary authority for SpaceX to transmit signals at 2.2 GHz during the launch of the Zuma mission, referred to as Mission 1390.

What was the revised launch pad for the Zuma mission after the initial license change?

Following a change in the launch license on December 22, 2017, the launchpad for the Zuma mission was changed to Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Zuma Satellite Wiki: Project Zuma: Unveiling the Classified Satellite Enigma

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Mission Profile

Designation and Classification

The satellite, designated USA-280 and codenamed "Zuma", was a classified United States government satellite. Its precise purpose and operational capabilities remain undisclosed, contributing to the enigmatic nature of the mission.

Operator and Contractor

The mission was managed by Northrop Grumman on behalf of the U.S. government. Northrop Grumman emphasized the extensive care taken to ensure an affordable and low-risk scenario for the Zuma payload.

Development Cost

Reports indicated that the development cost for the Zuma satellite project approached a significant US$3.5 billion. This substantial investment underscores the perceived importance and complexity of the classified payload.

Launch Details

Launch Date and Time

Zuma was launched on 8 January 2018, at 01:00 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This marked the 47th flight of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Launch Site and Vehicle

The launch occurred from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The launch vehicle was the SpaceX Falcon 9 Full Thrust, which successfully performed its ascent and landing phases.

Pre-Launch Preparations

The mission experienced several delays, including those related to payload adapter testing and weather conditions associated with the January 2018 North American blizzard. The launch license was also updated to reflect a change in launchpad from LC-39A to SLC-40.

The Enigma of Fate

Post-Launch Reports

Following the launch, unnamed sources suggested that the satellite was lost during its deployment phase. Investigations indicated a potential failure in the spacecraft's separation from its payload adapter, which was reportedly modified by Northrop Grumman.

Independent investigations tentatively concluded that errors introduced by Northrop Grumman during the modification of the payload adapter may have led to the satellite's failure to separate correctly. While sensors did not initially report detachment issues, the satellite eventually separated too late and in an orbit too low for potential rescue, leading to its likely re-entry into the atmosphere.

Official Statements and Secrecy

SpaceX confirmed that the Falcon 9 performed correctly during launch, attributing any contrary information to falsehoods due to the classified nature of the payload. Northrop Grumman also declined to comment on the status of classified missions. The U.S. government has not officially confirmed the satellite's loss, maintaining a veil of secrecy.

Orbital Parameters and Status

Officially, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) lists the satellite (USA-280) but provides no orbital parameters, using a status code indicating "no elements available." This is standard procedure for classified missions, further obscuring the satellite's operational status or demise.

Media Coverage and Speculation

Public Discourse and Theories

The lack of official confirmation and the classified nature of the Zuma mission fueled considerable speculation in the media and among the amateur satellite tracking community. Various theories emerged regarding the satellite's purpose and its ultimate fate.

Amateur Tracking Efforts

In the process of searching for Zuma, amateur astronomers inadvertently detected radio transmissions from NASA's IMAGE satellite, which had been lost since 2005. This highlights the role of citizen science in space observation, even amidst classified operations.

Mission Patch Removal

Following reports of the mission's potential failure, the Zuma mission patch was notably removed from sale in souvenir shops and online, a subtle indication of the mission's unresolved status.

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Zuma (satellite) Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This content has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence model, drawing upon publicly available information from Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, the information presented here is for educational and informational purposes only. The classified nature of the Zuma mission means that definitive details are scarce, and much of the reporting relies on secondary sources and speculation.

This is not official government information. Users should consult official sources for verified data. The AI is not responsible for any interpretations or actions taken based on the information provided herein. Given the sensitive and classified aspects of the topic, users are advised to exercise critical judgment.

Project Zuma: Unveiling the Classified Satellite Enigma

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Mission Profile ℹ️

🛰️ Designation and Classification

🏢 Operator and Contractor

💰 Development Cost

Launch Details 🚀

🗓️ Launch Date and Time

📍 Launch Site and Vehicle

📡 Pre-Launch Preparations

The Enigma of Fate ❓

📉 Post-Launch Reports

🔒 Official Statements and Secrecy

🌐 Orbital Parameters and Status

Media Coverage and Speculation 📰

🗣️ Public Discourse and Theories

🔭 Amateur Tracking Efforts

🛍️ Mission Patch Removal

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Mission Profile

Designation and Classification

Operator and Contractor

Development Cost

Launch Details

Launch Date and Time

Launch Site and Vehicle

Pre-Launch Preparations

The Enigma of Fate

Post-Launch Reports

Official Statements and Secrecy

Orbital Parameters and Status

Media Coverage and Speculation

Public Discourse and Theories

Amateur Tracking Efforts

Mission Patch Removal

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice