Canyon (satellite)
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CANYON refers to a series of seven United States reconnaissance satellites launched between 1968 and 1977.[1] Also known as AFP-827 [2], the satellites were developed with the participation of the Air Force. The Canyon project is credited as being the first American satellite system tasked for COMINT. [3]
The satellites weighed 700 kg and were launched from Atlas/Agena D rockets into near-geosynchronous orbits. They carried large parabolic reflecting dishes, estimated at 10m in diameter. The Canyon satellites were eventually replaced with the next generation of COMINT satellites, the Vortex/Chalet series. The program remains classified.
Contents |
[edit] List of Launches
| Name [4] | Launch date | Alt. name | COSPAR ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon 1 | 6 Aug 1968 | OPS 2222 | 1968-063A |
| Canyon 2 | 13 April 1969 | OPS 3148 | 1969-036A |
| Canyon 3 | 1 September 1970 | OPS 7329 | 1970-069A |
| Canyon 4 | 4 December 1971 | AFP-827, 1971-F13 | failed to achieve orbit |
| Canyon 5 | 20 December 1972 | OPS 9390 | 1972-101A |
| Canyon 6 | 18 June 1975 | OPS 4966 | 1975-055A |
| Canyon 7 | 23 May 1977 | OPS 9751 | 1977-038A |
[edit] See also
- Rhyolite/Aquacade - Another SIGINT platform operated for the Central Intelligence Agency
- Vortex/Chalet - Canyon's successor
[edit] References
- ^ Jonathan's space update No. 369 (1998-08-22) Lists U.S. SIGINT launches
- ^ Jonathan's space report No. 501 (2003-06-06) Speculation on the CANYON launches
- ^ Richelson, Jeffrey T. ed. U.S. Military Uses of Space, 1945-1991 Vol 1, Guide. National Security Archive. 1991.
- ^ List of satellite launches from Jonathan's Space Report
[edit] External links
- Gunter's Space Page - information on Canyon
- Spy satellites of the NSA (French)
