Coincidentally, notes novelist Adam Baker, it bears a striking resemblance to the logo of a coalition of bad guys from the 1966 Batman movie.

Brought to you by the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, and Catwoman.
Brought to you by the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, and Catwoman.
Image: Twentieth Century-Fox

The NROL-39 and its payload are classified, but its launch trajectory puts its satellites into the same orbit as previous spy satellites used for radar imaging. If that’s the case, it would make the primary contents of NROL-39 the latest satellite in a series designed to salvage the radar component of an otherwise largely failed spy satellite program, called Future Imagery Architecture, which the New York Times called “perhaps the most spectacular and expensive failure in the 50-year history of American spy satellite projects.”

Update: Journalist Andrea Pitzer points out that the National Reconnaissance office has a history of interesting mission patches.

“Better the devil we know”—NROL-49 mission.
“Better the devil we know”—NROL-49 mission.
Image: NRO

📬 Sign up for the Daily Brief

Our free, fast, and fun briefing on the global economy, delivered every weekday morning.