OPS 7898

Poppy (satellite)

POPPY is the code name given to a series of U.S. intelligence satellites operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. The POPPY satellites recorded ELINT data, targeting radar installations in the Soviet Union.

The POPPY program was a continuation within NRO's Program C of the Naval Research Laboratory's Galactic Radiation and Background (GRAB) ELINT program, also known as Tattletale. The National Security Agency was given the responsibility of collecting, interpreting, and reporting the signals intercepted.

The existence of the POPPY program was declassified by the NRO in September 2005, although most of the details about its capabilities and operation are still classified.

There were seven launches of POPPY satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base from 1962 until 1971, all of which were successful. The program continued until August 1977.

Launches

Name	Launch date	International Designators	Other names	Launch vehicle
Poppy 1	13 December 1962	1962-067A or 1962-BETA-TAU-1, 1962-067C or 1962-BETA-TAU-3	NRL-PL 120, NRL PL 121	Thor-Agena-D
Poppy 2	15 June 1963	1963-021E	NRL PL 112	Thor-Agena-D
Poppy 3	11 January 1964	1964-001E	NRL PL 135	TAT-Agena-D
Poppy 4	9 March 1965	1965-016A	NRL PL 142	Thor-Agena-D
Poppy 5	31 May 1967	1967-053G, 1967-053H	NRL PL 151, NRL PL 153	Thor-Agena-D
Poppy 6	30 September 1969	1969-082D, 1969-082E, 1969-082F, 1969-082G (OPS 7613)	NRL PL 162, 163, 161, 164	Thorad-Agena-D
Poppy 7	14 December 1971	1971-110A, 1971-110C, 1971-110D, 1979-110E (OPS 7898)	NRL PL 171, 172, 173, 174	Thorad-Agena-D