KH-8

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The KH-8, codenamed Gambit was a long-lived series of reconnaissance satellites used by the United States from July 1966 to April 1984. The satellite ejected canisters of photographic film that had to be retrieved as they descended through the atmosphere by parachute. Ground resolution of the satellite was 0.5 meters. The satellite weighed about 3000 kilograms. At least 55 launch attempts were made. The KH-8 was manufactured by Lockheed.

The Gambit codename was also used by the satellite's predecessor, the KH-7.

The KH-8 Gambit was launched by the Titan 23B rocket.

[edit] References

• Mark Wade (August 9, 2003). KH-8. Encyclopedia Astronautica. Accessed April 23, 2004.
• KH-8 Gambit. GlobalSecurity.org.