SILENTBARKER
The SILENTBARKER space surveillance system is a joint effort of the U.S. Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). It is designed for wide-area surveillance of adversaries' space-based assets, and complements the USSF's GSSAP (Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program) system. Three SILENTBARKER satellites were launched together on 10 September 2023, into orbits above geosynchronous altitude at an inclination of 12°. SILENTBARKER reached initial operation capability in 2025. The satellites are operated by the NRO, while the USSF is responsible for the processing of the collected data.
SILENTBARKER Launch List
- No.: Sequential satellite number for the SILENTBARKER program
- Name: Unclassified name of the satellite. Since June 1984, U.S. military satellites get a sequential "USA" number. "NROL" stands for National Reconnaissance Office Launch, a number assigned by the NRO to its satellite launches since 1996.
- COSPAR ID: International designation of the satellite
| No. | Name / NROL | COSPAR ID | Launch | Launch Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 2 3 | USA 346 / NROL-107 USA 347 / NROL-107 USA 348 / NROL-107 |
2023-140A 2023-140B 2023-140C | 10 Sep 2023 | Atlas-5(551)² |
SILENTBARKER launches
Main Sources
[1] Air&Space Forces Magazine: 2026 USAF & USSF Almanac
[2] NRO: SILENTBARKER
NROL-107 Press Kit
[3] Gunter Krebs: Silentbarker
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Last Updated: 7 July 2026