# USA-184

> reconnaissance satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office

**Wikidata**: [Q7865666](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7865666)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA-184)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/usa-184

## Summary
USA-184 is a reconnaissance satellite operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Identified by the designation NROL-22, it is classified as a TRUMPET-series satellite. The spacecraft was launched on June 28, 2006, aboard a Delta IV Medium+(4,2) rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6.

## Key Facts
- **Official Designation:** USA-184 (also known as NRO Launch 22, NROL-22, or L-22).
- **Classification:** Instance of a TRUMPET-class reconnaissance satellite.
- **Operator:** National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
- **Sponsor:** National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
- **Launch Date:** June 28, 2006.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Delta IV Medium+(4,2).
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6.
- **COSPAR ID:** 2006-027A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 29249.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite is USA-184?
A: USA-184 is a reconnaissance satellite belonging to the TRUMPET class. It is owned and operated by the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

### Q: When and how was USA-184 launched?
A: USA-184 was launched on June 28, 2006. It was delivered to orbit using a Delta IV Medium+(4,2) rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6.

### Q: What are the alternative names for USA-184?
A: The satellite is also identified by the names NRO Launch 22, NROL-22, and L-22.

## Why It Matters
USA-184 serves as a specific instance of the United States' continued investment in space-based reconnaissance during the mid-2000s. As part of the TRUMPET series, it represents a class of satellites developed to support the intelligence gathering objectives of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The deployment of USA-184 highlights the operational capabilities of the Delta IV rocket family, specifically the Medium+(4,2) variant, in placing sensitive national security payloads into orbit. The mission underscores the collaboration between launch providers and the NRO to maintain and upgrade the nation's orbital surveillance architecture. Its launch from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6 further emphasizes the strategic use of West Coast launch facilities for inserting payloads into specific orbital trajectories required for reconnaissance purposes.

## Notable For
- Being a confirmed unit of the **TRUMPET** class of reconnaissance satellites.
- Utilizing the **Delta IV Medium+(4,2)** configuration for its orbital insertion.
- Operating under the management of the **National Reconnaissance Office**.
- Launching from the specialized **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6**.

## Body
### Identity and Classification
USA-184 is a reconnaissance satellite commissioned and operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). It is formally classified as an instance of the **TRUMPET** series of satellites. Within the NRO's internal naming conventions, the mission is referred to as **NROL-22** (NRO Launch 22) and carries the secondary identifier **L-22**.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on **June 28, 2006**. The launch event is recorded as a significant milestone involving a rocket launch at **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6**.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The mission utilized the **Delta IV Medium+(4,2)**, a specific variant of the Delta IV space launch vehicle family.
*   **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6, a facility located in California.

### Technical Identifiers
To facilitate tracking and cataloging, USA-184 is associated with several standard identifiers used in the aerospace community:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 2006-027A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 29249
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/0j9qpny

The mission has associated media presence, including a specific mission patch and a Commons category titled "NROL-22."

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report