Publicly released information indicates the US$100 million Lockheed Martin built Atlas rocket will deliver the craft into a geosynchronous transfer orbit with a  perigee of 270 km (146 nmi), and apogee, of 37,497 km (20,247 mni) with an inclination of 26.5 degrees to the equator. 

The satellite was manufactured by Boeing Satellite Systems for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Organization (NRO).

The NRO designs, builds and operates the United States's reconnaissance satellites. NRO customers include the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The NRO is staffed by DoD and CIA personnel. The organization was declassified in September 1992.