Lacrosse (satellite)

Lacrosse is the code name for a National Reconnaissance Office terrestrial radar imaging reconnaissance satellite. While not officially confirmed by the NRO, there is widespread evidence to confirm it's existence. One example would be the non-classified acknowledgement of NASA's Magellan Venus probe, which has similar capabilities, and was built by the same contractor (Martin Marietta, though currently Lockheed Martin) using what is probably very similar hardware. Lacrosse uses synthetic aperture radar to perform mapping. It also has some ability to penetrate soil, though there have been more powerful instruments deployed in space for this specific purpose.

Four have been launched, with three currently in orbit.

• Lacrosse 1: Launched on December 2, 1988 from the Space Shuttle mission STS-27, approximately 440 km orbital height and 57° orbital inclination. After fulfilling its full service life, the spacecraft re-entered the atmosphere and burned up in 1997.
• Lacrosse 2: Launched on March 8, 1991 from a Titan IVA from Vandenberg AFB, approximately 600-700 km orbital height and 68° orbital inclination. Still in service.
• Lacrosse 3: Launched on October 24, 1997 from a Titan IVA from Vandenberg AFB, approximately 600-700 km orbital height and 57° inclination. Still in service, as a replacement for Lacrosse 1.
• Lacrosse 4: Launched on August 17, 2000 from a Titan IVB from Vandenberg AFB, approximately 600-700 km orbital height and 68° inclination. Spacecraft mass is likely about 16 tons.

The orbital inclination of 68°, combined with their altitude gives the satellites a complete view of the earth's surface, including the poles.

Recent revisions are known as Onyx.