PADSpace Launch Complex 3E
SITEVandenberg SFB, CA, USA →ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPEGovernment/Top Secret
MISSION OVERVIEW
USA 173 is an American military satellite (operated by the National Reconnaissance Office)
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Atlas IIAS
AGENCY
Lockheed MartinMISSION
NROL-18 (Intruder 6A & 6B)
MISSION TYPE
Government/Top Secret
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Space Launch Complex 3ELAUNCH SITE
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USACOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: f01164c8-7579-4cfd-a804-bf5a50e11b93
Reported date: Dec 2, 2003 at 10:04 UTC
Last synced: 18 hours ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE
MANUFACTURER
Lockheed Martin
VARIANT
IIAS
FLIGHTS
30
SUCCESSES
30
SUCCESS RATE
100%
Atlas II was a member of the Atlas family of launch vehicles, which evolved from the successful Atlas missile program of the 1950s. It was designed to launch payloads into low earth orbit, geosynchronous transfer orbit or geosynchronous orbit. Sixty-three launches of the Atlas II, IIA and IIAS models were carried out between 1991 and 2004; all sixty-three launches were successes, making the Atlas II the most reliable launch system in history.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Atlas IIAS | NROL-18 launch?
The Atlas IIAS | NROL-18 is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at 10:04 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for NROL-18 (Intruder 6A & 6B)?
The Atlas IIAS | NROL-18 mission uses the Atlas IIAS rocket, manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The Atlas IIAS has flown 30 times with a 100% success rate.
Where is the Atlas IIAS | NROL-18 launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 3E at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit is NROL-18 (Intruder 6A & 6B) going to?
The NROL-18 (Intruder 6A & 6B) mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching NROL-18 (Intruder 6A & 6B)?
The Atlas IIAS | NROL-18 is operated by Lockheed Martin.
Can I watch the Atlas IIAS | NROL-18 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 29, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch date set: Dec 2, 2003 at 10:04 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Lockheed Martin
Mar 29, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 18 hours ago
●Launch Library 218 hours ago
Launch ID: f01164c8-7579-4cfd-a804-bf5a50e11b93
●Open-Meteo Weather18 hours ago
Pad weather at 34.64, -120.59