On September 7, United Launch Alliance delivered an Atlas V rocket to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying several classified cargoes for the Silent Barker mission, a joint project of the U.S. Space Force and the National Intelligence Agency.

This is the second launch of the Atlas V rocket in preparation for the Silent Barker mission: before the planned launch on August 29, preparations were being made for the launch pad on August 25. The launch was later delayed due to Tropical Storm Idalia, and the launch of Atlas V was temporarily delayed to protect the rocket and cargo from bad weather.

The Quiet Barker mission involves sending several satellites to observe activity in geosynchronous orbit located approximately 35,700 km above the Earth’s surface.

Satellites in such an orbit revolve around the Earth at the same speed that our planet makes a complete revolution. This allows them to “hover” above a specific coordinate of the Earth’s surface, making geosynchronous orbit a popular location for the deployment of communications and Earth observation satellites.

Details regarding the number of Silent Barker satellites launched and their purposes were not disclosed. But one of the main goals of this mission is to “deter attack,” as stated by representatives of the US Space Force.

“We want our adversaries to know that our eyes are on DSO and we see what’s happening there,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Gatline, Space Force Space Systems Command commander. Source