NRO spy satellite may be total loss: sources

By Andrea Shalal-Esa

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials are likely to declare a Lockheed Martin Corp. spy satellite a total loss after efforts to restore its ability to communicate failed repeatedly over the past three months, two defense officials told Reuters on Tuesday.

The experimental L-21 classified satellite, built for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars, was launched successfully on December 14 but has been out of touch since reaching its low-earth orbit.

Limited data received from the satellite indicated that its on-board computer tried rebooting several times, but those efforts failed, said one official, who is knowledgeable about the program and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The satellite carried sophisticated cameras to take high-resolution pictures and test equipment intended for use on the broader Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) program, in which both Boeing Co. and Lockheed are involved.

Its failure raises questions about the schedule for the already-much-delayed FIA program, which was due to launch a first satellite in two to three years, analysts said.

One of the defense officials acknowledged the satellite's failure was "not helpful."

"It's part of an overarching architecture. When you're trying to move forward on several dimensions, it can't help accomplish those goals," the official said.

The other official said he expected schedule adjustments, but no major delays, as a result of the NRO satellite failure.