# Zuma

> classified United States government satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q43297560](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43297560)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zuma_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zuma

## Summary  
Zuma is a classified United States government reconnaissance satellite launched on January 8, 2018, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket. Its mission details remain secret, but it is believed to have failed shortly after launch, possibly decaying in orbit the same day. Manufactured by Northrop Grumman, Zuma was intended for covert intelligence gathering.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: January 8, 2018, at 01:00 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: SpaceX Falcon 9 Full Thrust (serial number B1043).  
- **Manufacturer**: Northrop Grumman Corporation.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2018-001A (shared with the launch vehicle).  
- **Classification**: Reconnaissance satellite, designed for covert data collection.  
- **Possible Failure**: Reports suggest Zuma may have decayed in orbit shortly after launch.  
- **Alternative Names**: USA-280, Mission 1390, or "祖玛" in Chinese.  
- **Country of Origin**: United States.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Zuma?  
A: Zuma was a classified U.S. reconnaissance satellite, likely intended for intelligence or military surveillance, though its exact mission remains undisclosed.  

### Q: Did Zuma fail after launch?  
A: Reports indicate Zuma may have failed shortly after launch, with speculation that it re-entered Earth's atmosphere on the same day.  

### Q: Who built and launched Zuma?  
A: Northrop Grumman manufactured the satellite, while SpaceX launched it using a Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket.  

## Why It Matters  
Zuma represents the intersection of government secrecy and private aerospace collaboration. Its speculated failure highlights the risks of classified space missions, while its launch by SpaceX underscores the growing role of commercial entities in national security projects. The mission's opacity fuels public and academic debate about transparency in space operations. As a reconnaissance satellite, Zuma aimed to bolster U.S. intelligence capabilities, but its apparent loss demonstrates the technical challenges of such endeavors.  

## Notable For  
- **Secrecy**: One of the most enigmatic U.S. satellite launches, with minimal official disclosures.  
- **Collaboration**: A rare joint effort between Northrop Grumman (manufacturer) and SpaceX (launch provider).  
- **Controversy**: Subject to widespread speculation due to conflicting reports about its success or failure.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date and Time**: January 8, 2018, at 01:00 UTC.  
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.  
- **Vehicle**: Falcon 9 Full Thrust (B1043), marking SpaceX's first national security launch of the year.  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class**: Reconnaissance satellite, designed for covert data collection.  
- **Manufacturer**: Northrop Grumman Corporation, a major U.S. defense contractor.  
- **Alternative Identifiers**: Also designated USA-280 or Mission 1390 in public records.  

### Post-Launch Events  
- **Possible Failure**: Some sources claim Zuma failed to reach stable orbit and decayed on launch day.  
- **Lack of Confirmation**: The U.S. government has not officially confirmed the satellite's status.  

### Cultural and Political Context  
- **Media Coverage**: French outlet *Libération* referred to Zuma as a "satellite-espion" (spy satellite).  
- **Public Speculation**: The mission's secrecy fueled theories about its purpose and fate.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.liberation.fr/france/2018/01/24/guerre-des-fusees-ariane-satellisee-par-spacex_1624973)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/zuma.htm)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-northrop-grumman-zuma-20180409-story.html)