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Total Categories: 6
The classified United States government satellite designated USA-280 is widely recognized in public discourse by its operational codename, 'Zuma'.
Answer: True
Publicly available information and reporting confirm that the satellite designated USA-280 is commonly known by its codename, 'Zuma'.
Was the satellite USA-280 a commercial payload intended for non-governmental purposes, or was it operated by a government entity?
Answer: False
The satellite USA-280 was designated as a United States government satellite, indicating its operation for official governmental purposes rather than commercial or non-governmental use.
Was the publicly disclosed purpose of the Zuma satellite related to meteorological observation?
Answer: False
The purpose of the Zuma satellite has not been publicly disclosed; therefore, it was not related to weather monitoring or any other publicly announced objective.
Does NORAD list the Zuma satellite with detailed orbital parameters?
Answer: False
NORAD lists the Zuma satellite but provides no orbital parameters, using the status code 'no elements available' for classified missions.
Does the status code 'no elements available' in NORAD's catalog signify a publicly known, operational satellite?
Answer: False
The 'no elements available' status code in NORAD's catalog is standard for classified missions and indicates that orbital data is not publicly shared, not that the satellite is publicly known and operational.
Confirm the COSPAR ID assigned to the Zuma satellite.
Answer: True
The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) International Identification assigned to the Zuma satellite is 2018-001A.
Confirm the Satellite Catalog (SATCAT) number for the Zuma satellite.
Answer: True
The Satellite Catalog (SATCAT) number associated with the Zuma satellite is 43098.
Was the Zuma satellite's mission type designated as scientific research?
Answer: False
The Zuma satellite's mission type was designated as Military and classified, not scientific research.
Are USA-280 and Mission 1390 alternative designations for the Zuma satellite?
Answer: True
Yes, USA-280 is the U.S. government designation, and Mission 1390 is a codename, both referring to the Zuma satellite.
What is the widely recognized codename for the classified United States government satellite designated USA-280?
Answer: Zuma
The classified United States government satellite designated USA-280 is commonly known by its operational codename, 'Zuma'.
What information is typically presented in NORAD's catalog entry for the Zuma satellite (USA-280)?
Answer: No orbital parameters available ('no elements available')
NORAD's catalog entry for the Zuma satellite (USA-280) typically shows 'no orbital parameters available,' a status code used for classified missions.
What is the significance of the 'no elements available' status code within NORAD's satellite catalog?
Answer: Orbital data is not publicly shared due to classification.
The 'no elements available' status code signifies that orbital data for the satellite is not publicly shared due to its classified nature.
What is the official Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) International Identification number assigned to the Zuma satellite?
Answer: 2018-001A
The COSPAR ID assigned to the Zuma satellite is 2018-001A.
Which of the following is NOT an alternative designation for the Zuma satellite mentioned in the provided source material?
Answer: NRO L-77
USA-280 and Mission 1390 are alternative designations for the Zuma satellite. NRO L-77 is not mentioned as such in the source.
Confirm the launch date and time for the Zuma satellite, specifying the time zone.
Answer: False
The Zuma satellite was launched on January 8, 2018, but the time was recorded as 01:00 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), not Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Was the Zuma satellite launched utilizing a Falcon Heavy rocket, or a different SpaceX launch vehicle?
Answer: False
The Zuma satellite was launched using a Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket, not the heavier Falcon Heavy variant.
Was Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) the initially designated launch site for the Zuma satellite?
Answer: False
The Zuma satellite was initially planned to launch from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A), not Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40).
Confirm the launch license number issued for the Zuma rocket.
Answer: True
The launch license number issued for the Zuma rocket by the Office of Commercial Space Transportation was indeed LLS 17-104.
Confirm the details of the Zuma launch license re-issuance on December 22, 2017, specifically regarding the launchpad change.
Answer: True
The Zuma launch license was indeed re-issued on December 22, 2017, and this revision included a change of the launchpad to Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40).
Were high winds attributed to a hurricane a cause for delay in the Zuma launch?
Answer: False
While weather did cause a delay, it was related to the January 2018 North American blizzard, not a hurricane.
The Zuma satellite was launched from Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Answer: True
The Zuma satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, specifically from Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40).
Confirm the flight number of the Falcon 9 rocket used for the Zuma satellite launch.
Answer: True
The Zuma satellite was launched on the 47th flight of the Falcon 9 rocket.
Was the launchpad changed to Launch Complex 40 following the license modification on December 22, 2017?
Answer: True
Yes, the launchpad was changed to Launch Complex 40 subsequent to the license re-issuance on December 22, 2017.
Specify the date on which the Zuma satellite was launched into orbit.
Answer: January 8, 2018
The Zuma satellite launched into orbit on January 8, 2018.
Identify the specific rocket model utilized for the Zuma mission launch.
Answer: Falcon 9 Full Thrust
The Zuma mission was launched using a Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket.
Identify the initial designated launch complex for the Zuma mission.
Answer: Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A)
The initial designated launch complex for the Zuma mission was Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A).
What weather event caused a delay to the Zuma launch in early January 2018?
Answer: The January 2018 North American blizzard
The Zuma launch was delayed in early January 2018 due to weather concerns related to the January 2018 North American blizzard.
From which launch complex was the Zuma satellite ultimately launched?
Answer: Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40)
The Zuma satellite was ultimately launched from Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Did anonymous sources claim that the Zuma satellite was successfully deployed into its intended orbit?
Answer: False
Unnamed sources claimed that the Zuma satellite was lost during deployment and re-entered the atmosphere, contradicting the notion of successful orbital deployment.
What was the suggested cause of the Zuma spacecraft's failure, according to independent investigations?
Answer: True
Independent investigations concluded that the Zuma spacecraft likely failed due to an inability to separate from its payload adapter, which is part of the rocket's upper stage.
Was a payload fairing test conducted specifically for the Zuma mission responsible for a significant launch delay?
Answer: False
A delay was caused by a payload fairing test, but it was conducted for a different customer's mission, not for the Zuma mission itself.
Did the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket disintegrate during its return to Earth following the Zuma launch?
Answer: False
The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket successfully landed at Landing Zone 1 after the Zuma launch; it did not disintegrate.
Was a debris field observed over the Pacific Ocean, attributed to the Zuma upper stage?
Answer: False
Reports indicated a spiral-shaped fuel dump observed in Sudan attributed to the re-entering upper stage of the rocket. Claims of a debris field over the Pacific Ocean specifically attributed to the Zuma upper stage are not substantiated by the provided information.
Did unnamed government officials suggest that the Zuma satellite re-entered the atmosphere over the Atlantic Ocean?
Answer: False
Unnamed government officials suggested the Zuma satellite re-entered the atmosphere over the Indian Ocean, not the Atlantic Ocean.
Did The Wall Street Journal report that sensors confirmed the Zuma satellite's immediate failure to detach from the payload adapter post-launch?
Answer: False
The Wall Street Journal reported that sensors had *not* initially confirmed the failure to detach from the payload adapter immediately after launch.
According to later reports, did the Zuma satellite detach from the payload adapter at a point too late for potential rescue operations?
Answer: True
Later reports indicated that the Zuma satellite did eventually detach from the payload adapter, but only after its orbit had decayed to a point where rescue was no longer feasible.
What did investigations in April 2018 suggest regarding Northrop Grumman's modifications to the payload adapter and the Zuma failure?
Answer: True
Investigations reported in April 2018 suggested that modifications made by Northrop Grumman to the payload adapter were the cause of the Zuma satellite's failure.
Did The Wall Street Journal report in April 2018 that the satellite's failure was due to SpaceX's launch errors?
Answer: False
The Wall Street Journal reported in April 2018 that investigations tentatively concluded the failure was due to Northrop Grumman's errors in modifying the payload adapter, not SpaceX's launch errors.
What fate did unnamed sources attribute to the Zuma satellite shortly after its launch?
Answer: It was lost during deployment and re-entered the atmosphere.
Unnamed sources claimed that the Zuma satellite was lost during deployment and subsequently re-entered the Earth's atmosphere.
What was the likely reason for the Zuma spacecraft's failure, according to independent investigations?
Answer: The satellite failed to separate from its payload adapter.
Independent investigations concluded that the Zuma spacecraft likely failed because it did not separate from its payload adapter.
What did The Wall Street Journal report concerning sensors and the payload adapter issue?
Answer: Sensors did not initially report the failure to detach.
The Wall Street Journal reported that sensors had not initially indicated the failure of the Zuma satellite to detach from the payload adapter.
According to later reports, when did the Zuma satellite eventually detach from the payload adapter?
Answer: Only after the orbit became too low for rescue
Later reports indicated that the Zuma satellite detached from the payload adapter only after its orbit had become too low for any rescue attempt.
What did The Wall Street Journal report in April 2018 regarding the cause of the Zuma failure?
Answer: Errors by Northrop Grumman in modifying the payload adapter.
The Wall Street Journal reported in April 2018 that investigations tentatively concluded the failure was due to errors by Northrop Grumman in modifying the payload adapter.
Identify the commercial aerospace company that successfully executed the launch of the satellite codenamed Zuma.
Answer: True
SpaceX, a prominent private aerospace manufacturer, was responsible for the launch operations of the Zuma satellite.
Identify the U.S. government agency that held oversight responsibility for the Zuma project.
Answer: True
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) was the U.S. government agency tasked with overseeing the Zuma project.
Did Northrop Grumman purchase a specialized rocket engine to customize the Zuma satellite's release mechanism?
Answer: False
Northrop Grumman purchased a payload adapter, not a rocket engine, to customize the Zuma satellite's release mechanism.
Did SpaceX report that the launch vehicle experienced anomalies during the Zuma mission?
Answer: False
SpaceX reported that all data indicated the launch vehicle performed properly and did not experience anomalies.
Did Gwynne Shotwell assert that the Falcon 9 rocket performed incorrectly during the Zuma launch?
Answer: False
Gwynne Shotwell asserted that the Falcon 9 performed correctly during the Zuma launch and denied contrary claims.
Did Northrop Grumman's Communications Director confirm specific details regarding the classified Zuma mission?
Answer: False
Northrop Grumman's Communications Director stated that the company could not comment on the status of classified missions.
Did SpaceX operate the Zuma satellite on behalf of the U.S. government?
Answer: False
SpaceX was the launch provider; Northrop Grumman operated the Zuma satellite on behalf of the U.S. government.
Identify the manufacturer of the Zuma satellite.
Answer: True
Northrop Grumman was the company that manufactured the Zuma satellite.
Was the NRO's primary role to provide launch services for the Zuma mission?
Answer: False
The NRO's primary role was to oversee the Zuma project; SpaceX provided the launch services.
Identify the U.S. government agency that held primary responsibility for the Zuma project.
Answer: NRO (National Reconnaissance Office)
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) was the principal agency overseeing the Zuma project.
Identify the commercial aerospace company that successfully executed the launch of the Zuma satellite.
Answer: SpaceX
SpaceX successfully launched the Zuma satellite.
What specific component did Northrop Grumman purchase to customize the Zuma satellite's release mechanism?
Answer: A payload adapter
Northrop Grumman purchased a payload adapter to customize the Zuma satellite's release mechanism.
What was SpaceX's report regarding the performance of the launch vehicle during the Zuma mission?
Answer: The vehicle performed properly according to all data.
SpaceX reported that all data indicated the launch vehicle performed properly during the Zuma mission.
What was Gwynne Shotwell's stance regarding the Falcon 9's performance during the Zuma launch?
Answer: She stated the rocket performed correctly and denied contrary claims.
Gwynne Shotwell stated that the Falcon 9 performed correctly during the Zuma launch and denied any contrary information, while also noting the classified nature of the payload precluded further detailed commentary.
How did Northrop Grumman's Communications Director handle inquiries regarding the Zuma mission's status?
Answer: They stated they could not comment on classified missions.
Northrop Grumman's Communications Director stated that the company could not comment on the status of classified missions.
Identify the company that manufactured the Zuma satellite.
Answer: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman manufactured the Zuma satellite.
What was the estimated development cost for the Zuma satellite, as reported in the source material?
Answer: False
The development cost for the Zuma satellite was estimated to be significantly higher than $1 billion, reported to be approaching US$3.5 billion.
Did reports indicate that the Zuma satellite's design was highly resistant to vibration?
Answer: False
Reports indicated the opposite: the Zuma satellite's design was highly sensitive to vibration and sudden shocks, not resistant to them.
Was the Zuma satellite intended for a geostationary orbit?
Answer: False
The Zuma satellite was intended for a Low Earth Orbit (LEO), not a geostationary orbit.
What was the approximate orbital inclination of the Zuma satellite?
Answer: False
The approximate orbital inclination of the Zuma satellite was 51 degrees, not 90 degrees.
What was the approximate development cost reported for the Zuma satellite?
Answer: US$3.5 billion
The development cost for the Zuma satellite was reported to be approximately US$3.5 billion.
According to reports, what specific characteristic of the Zuma satellite's design presented significant challenges?
Answer: High sensitivity to vibration and sudden shocks
Reports indicated that the Zuma satellite's design was particularly challenging due to its high sensitivity to vibration and sudden shocks.
What was the intended orbital regime for the Zuma satellite?
Answer: Low Earth Orbit
The Zuma satellite was intended for a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) regime.
What was the approximate orbital inclination of the Zuma satellite?
Answer: 51 degrees
The approximate orbital inclination of the Zuma satellite was 51 degrees.
Did SpaceX apply to the FCC for authority to transmit signals at 5 GHz for the Zuma mission?
Answer: False
SpaceX applied to the FCC for authority to transmit signals at 2.2 GHz, not 5 GHz, for the Zuma mission.
Has the U.S. government officially confirmed that the Zuma satellite was lost?
Answer: False
The U.S. government has not officially confirmed the status or fate of the Zuma satellite, neither its loss nor its success.
Was the Zuma mission patch made available for sale following reports of the satellite's potential loss?
Answer: False
The Zuma mission patch was removed from sale after reports concerning the satellite's potential loss, not made available.
Has the U.S. government officially declared the Zuma mission a success?
Answer: False
The U.S. government has not officially declared the Zuma mission a success or a failure.
Has the secrecy surrounding the Zuma mission contributed to significant public speculation?
Answer: True
The classified nature and secrecy surrounding the Zuma mission have indeed generated considerable public speculation regarding its objectives and outcome.
Did amateur satellite trackers suggest that Zuma would be difficult to locate if it were operational?
Answer: False
Amateur satellite trackers suggested that if Zuma were operational, it would likely be visually locatable, implying it would *not* be difficult to find.
Did amateur astronomers, while searching for Zuma, accidentally detect signals from the lost NASA satellite IMAGE?
Answer: True
During their efforts to locate Zuma, amateur astronomers inadvertently detected radio transmissions from the lost NASA satellite IMAGE.
Was the SpaceX webcast of the Zuma launch intended to obscure the satellite's details?
Answer: False
The SpaceX webcast provided live footage of the launch and was not intended to obscure the satellite's details.
Did the FCC application for the Zuma mission pertain to transmitting signals for satellite tracking?
Answer: False
The FCC application concerned authority to transmit signals at 2.2 GHz during launch, not for satellite tracking.
Did the gallery section of the article include images depicting the Zuma satellite's reentry and landing?
Answer: True
The gallery section of the article included images related to the Zuma mission, specifically depicting the launch, first stage landing, and the first stage's reentry and landing.
What action was taken regarding the Zuma mission patch sales following reports of the satellite's potential loss?
Answer: The patch was removed from sale.
Following reports regarding the potential loss of the satellite, the Zuma mission patch was removed from sale at the Air Force Space and Missile Museum's souvenir shop and was also withdrawn from online sales channels.
What official communication, if any, has the U.S. government issued concerning the success or failure of the Zuma mission?
Answer: They have made no official public statement on its status.
The U.S. government has made no official public statement regarding the success or failure of the Zuma mission.
What unexpected discovery was made by amateur astronomers during their search for the Zuma satellite?
Answer: Radio transmissions from the lost NASA satellite IMAGE.
While searching for Zuma, amateur astronomers inadvertently detected radio transmissions from the lost NASA satellite IMAGE.
What was the stated purpose of the FCC application filed by SpaceX concerning the Zuma launch?
Answer: To obtain authority to transmit signals at 2.2 GHz during launch.
The FCC application filed by SpaceX concerned obtaining authority to transmit signals at 2.2 GHz during the Zuma launch.
What visual content was presented in the gallery section of the article pertaining to the Zuma mission?
Answer: Images of the launch, first stage landing, and reentry.
The gallery section presented images of the Zuma mission's launch, first stage landing, and the first stage's reentry and landing.