What's the purpose of the Clio spacecraft?

[Lime]

Here you can post your theory.

Edited June 27, 2015 by Lime

[Flymetothemun]

Probably something for Military satellite communications. According to Gunter's Space Page, it's most likely based on a Lockheed A2100 which is designed as a telecom satellite. It'll also be in a Geosynchronous orbit, and theres a military-spec compliant version of the A2100. There was also a mission of the same sort called PAN which was based on the A2100 sat and which is geosynchronous but moves to various locations over the middle east. With the recent rise in tension in the middle east with ISIL the US Military may want to have more sats avaliable just in case action against ISIL is pursued. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine may also prompt US action and they may be putting it in Geosync orbit over that area. It might also be a training satellite which will be placed over a US military base and used for "field exercises". Of course, this is all speculation, it might be a 24/7 satellite hotline to the nearest Dominos or Pizza Hut for all I know.

http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/clio.htm

http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/lockheed_a2100.htm

http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/pan.htm

Edited June 27, 2015 by Flymetothemun

[Lime]

Acording to calculated burn times it's orbit is elliptical. But it could be a communication satellite like the PAN spacecraft.

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The burn times are too short for a Centaur GTO mission. And this launch is more secret than a NRO launch. Weird