Atlas V Rocket to Carry Space Domain Awareness Mission Into Orbit

The Space Systems Command and the National Reconnaissance Office will launch the SILENTBARKER mission on Aug. 29 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The mission, also designated NROL-107, aims to provide space domain awareness as required by the Department of Defense and the intelligence community.

The mission payload will be sent into orbit aboard an Atlas V 551 rocket, to be provided by United Launch Alliance, the SSC said.

According to Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, leader of the SSC’s Program Executive Office for Assured Access to Space, the capabilities that the mission will put in place are critical to the United States and its allies amid growing threats.

SILENTBARKER will be the 99th mission under the National Security Space Launch program. Previously known as the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, NSSL seeks to acquire launch services in support of U.S. national security missions.

ULA is one of the two launch providers that had won under the current phase of NSSL. For the next phase of the program, the SSC aims to add a third provider to better ensure space access resiliency.