# Misty 2

> U.S. reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111497860](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111497860)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/misty-2

## Summary
Misty 2, officially designated USA-144 and identified by the COSPAR ID 1999-028A, is a United States reconnaissance satellite operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Launched on May 22, 1999, aboard a Titan IV rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East, it was manufactured by Lockheed Martin to covertly collect data for intelligence applications. It is part of the classified Misty program.

## Key Facts
- **Official Designations:** USA-144, NROL-9 (NRO Launch 9), COSPAR ID 1999-028A, NSSDCA ID 1999-028A.
- **Operator:** National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
- **Manufacturer:** Lockheed Martin.
- **Launch Date:** May 22, 1999, at 09:36.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Titan IV (specifically the 4B-12 variant).
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East.
- **Classification:** Reconnaissance satellite designed to covertly collect intelligence data.
- **Country of Origin:** United States.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 25744.
- **Parent Program:** Misty.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Misty 2?
A: Misty 2 is a U.S. reconnaissance satellite used for covert intelligence gathering. It is known formally by the designations USA-144 and NROL-9.

### Q: When was Misty 2 launched?
A: Misty 2 was launched on May 22, 1999, at 09:36 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East in the United States.

### Q: Who built and operates Misty 2?
A: The satellite was manufactured by Lockheed Martin and is operated by the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

## Why It Matters
Misty 2 represents a significant component of United States space-based intelligence capabilities during the late 1990s. As a reconnaissance satellite tasked with covertly collecting data, it plays a critical role in national security and military applications by providing information that is not obtainable through public or commercial means.

The satellite is notable for its association with the classified "Misty" program, a highly secretive lineage of spacecraft developed by Lockheed Martin. Its launch aboard a Titan IVB rocket—one of the most powerful expendable launch systems used by the U.S. Air Force at the time—underscores the payload's strategic importance and substantial mass. The operation of Misty 2 highlights the ongoing efforts of the National Reconnaissance Office to maintain advanced surveillance capabilities from orbit.

## Notable For
- **Covert Intelligence:** Designed specifically to covertly collect data for military and intelligence applications.
- **Classified Lineage:** Being the second known entity in the secretive "Misty" satellite program.
- **Heavy-Lift Launch:** Utilizing the Titan IV family of rockets, a system reserved for high-priority U.S. Air Force and intelligence payloads.
- **NRO Operation:** Being a strategic asset managed directly by the National Reconnaissance Office.

## Body
### Identity and Classification
Misty 2 is an artificial satellite belonging to the class of reconnaissance satellites. These are spacecraft designed to orbit the Earth in order to gather intelligence through methods such as photography or signal interception. Misty 2 is specifically categorized as a satellite that "covertly collects data for intelligence or military applications." It is listed under the Satellite Catalog Number 25744 and holds the international designator 1999-028A.

### Mission History
The satellite was launched from the United States on May 22, 1999. The specific launch site was the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East. The launch event was managed by the U.S. Air Force using a Titan IV rocket, model 4B-12. The precise time of the rocket launch was recorded at 09:36. The mission is identified by the NRO as Launch 9 (NROL-9).

### Development and Operations
Misty 2 was manufactured by the defense contractor Lockheed Martin. It serves as a component of the broader "Misty" program. The operational control and management of the satellite fall under the jurisdiction of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the agency responsible for the design, construction, and operation of U.S. reconnaissance satellites.

### Identifiers and Data
*   **Wolfram Language Entity:** Entity["Satellite", "25744"]
*   **Encyclopedia of China ID:** 401769
*   **Alternate Names:** USA-144, NRO L-9

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/misty-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report