TRUMPET (also known as JEROBOAM"Second Titan IV of 1994 orbits SIGINT satellite. (Jeroboam signal intelligence satellite launched for National Reconnaissance Office)", Defense Daily, May 4, 1994 and called Advanced Jumpseat by some observers) is reportedly a series of ELINT reconnaissance satellites launched by the United States during the 1990s to replace the Jumpseat satellites. Speculated to weigh 5,200 kg, three of these satellites were launched into highly elliptical (Molniya) orbits by Titan 4 launch vehicles from Cape Canaveral between 1994 and 1997. Their precise mission and capabilities are classified. News reports state that the satellites monitor radio communication using antennas with diameters of 150 m. It is speculated that the satellites are manufactured by Boeing.

Design According to NASA's National Space Science Data Center, Trumpet SIGINT satellites have a large deployable mesh antenna, and were initially aimed at monitoring Soviet communications and missile tests. Trumpet 5 is allegedly the second satellite of a new series. Its tasks are believed to be signals intelligence and early warning, using a SBIRS HEO-2 infrared missile early warning package. In addition it is supposed to carry a NASA/Los Alamos TWINS-B magnetospheric research payload.

Launches Name COSPAR ID Launch date Launch vehicle Launch site Launch designation Orbit Remarks First generation USA-103 3 May 1994 Titan IV (401)A N/A USA-112 10 July 1995 Titan IV (401)A CCAFS SLC-41 N/A USA-136 8 November 1997 Titan IV (401)A CCAFS SLC-41 NROL-4 Second generation USA-184 28 June 2006 Delta IV M+(4,2) VAFB SLC-6 NROL-22 Carries TWINS-A and SBIRS HEO-1 payloads 13 March 2008 Atlas V 411 VAFB SLC-3E NROL-28 1,112 km x 35,780 km x 63.6° Carries TWINS-B and SBIRS HEO-2 payloads Third generation USA-259 13 December 2014 Atlas V 541 VAFB SLC-3E NROL-35 TBD Carries SBIRS HEO-3 payload USA-278 24 September 2017 Atlas V 541 VAFB SLC-3E NROL-42 TBD Will probably carry another SBIRS payload

Cost In 1994, the cost of Trumpet 1 (excluding launch vehicle) were estimated to more than US$1.5 billion (inflation adjusted more than US$ billion in ).

See also Jonathan's Space Report

References

External links Trumpet SIGINT at Encyclopedia Astronautica