As with all National Reconnaissance Office Launches, the payload is not officially identified by the NRO. Mission specifics such as launch vehicle configuration, launch site, launch time and hints that can be found on the payload mission patch can be used to pin-point the identity of the payload. So far, the Atlas V 501 has made four launches in total. It is rarely used because it uses the large 5-meter diameter payload fairing. While most spacecraft fit inside the 4-meter fairing, the 501 version is used for lighter satellites that require more payload volume. Overall performance is higher in the 401 configuration. The 501 made a single launch from Vandenberg on September 21, 2010 (UTC) carrying the NROL-41 satellite. The spacecraft was positively identified by satellite trackers in a 1,058 by 1,072-Kilometer orbit at an inclination of 123.0 degrees. The satellite later raised its orbit to 1,102 by 1,105 Kilometers. This orbit is used by Future Imagery Architecture constellation which is a series of radar reconnaissance payloads. FIA Radar-1 launched in 2010 followed by FIA Radar-2 in April 2012 which was launched by a Delta IV M+(5,2) rocket and was found in a circular orbit at 1,100 Kilometers as well.

USA-247, also known as NRO Launch 39 or NROL-39, is an American reconnaissance satellite, operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. The USA-247 launch received a relatively high level of press coverage due to the mission's choice of logo which depicts an octopus sitting astride the globe and the motto "Nothing Is Beyond Our Reach". The logo choice was extensively criticized in light of the 2013 surveillance disclosures. USA-247 was launched by United Launch Alliance using an Atlas V carrier rocket flying in the 501 configuration, along with twelve CubeSats being carried as secondary payloads. Five of the CubeSats were a part of NASA ELaNa II manifest. Space Launch Complex 3E at the Vandenberg Air Force Base was used to conduct the launch, which took place at 07:14:30 UTC on 6 December 2013 (23:14 local time on 5 December). Identified as NRO Launch 39, it marked the forty-third flight of an Atlas V. The rocket used had been named Belle, and had tail number AV-042.

On The Daily Show, Jon Stewart ridiculed the octopus logo for the recently launched spy satellite NROL-39. He quipped that the logo was one scared schoolgirl away from being a popular comic in Tokyo. And, voilà, the show added just that. Online in the West, anime fans were quick to note that the character was Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi, the heroine of Henneko: The “Hentai” Prince and the Stony Cat. The anime is heavy on fan service and innuendo, but it’s not porn. No wonder this cameo is being called “unfortunate“.

Our all US-Made Insignia patches here are NIR with LIFETIME warranty. You will receive the item as shown in the first photo. (one Kiwi and one Flag Patch each, both has full vêlkrö backing.) Other items in other pictures are available from my eBay Store. They will make a great addition to your SSI Shoulder Sleeve Insignia collection. You find only US Made items here, with the same LIFETIME warranty.

**eBay REQUIRES ORDER BE SENT WITH TRACKING, PLEASE SELECT USPS 1ST CLASS SERVICE w/TRACKING**

**eBay REQUIRES ORDER BE SENT WITH TRACKING, PLEASE SELECT USPS 1ST CLASS SERVICE w/TRACKING**

We'll cover your purchase price plus shipping.

FREE 30-day No-Question return

ALL US-MADE PATCHES HAVE LIFETIME WARRANTY

We do not compete price with cheap import copies.

Watch out for cheap import copies with cut-throat price; 

We beat cheap copies with Original design, US-Made Quality and customer services.

Once a customer, a LIFETIME of services