USA-276

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/usa-276

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the satellite designation?USA-276
2. What is the operator/affiliation?United States Government (likely intelligence community)
3. When was USA-276 launched?USA-276 was launched on February 11, 2016.
4. How high does USA-276 orbit?USA-276 orbits about 36,000 kilometers (22,000 miles) above Earth, a very high spot in space.

Reconnaissance Satellite: An artificial satellite designed to observe and gather intelligence about specific areas on Earth.
Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR): Sensor technology that captures imagery using both visible light and thermal radiation.
Classified: Information or operations designated as secret for national security reasons, restricting access.
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR): Activities and systems used to collect and process information about potential threats and targets.