Jumpseat (satellite)
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Jumpseat, also known as AFP-711[1] is reportedly a code name for a class of SIGINT reconnaissance satellites operated by the National Reconnaissance Office for the United States Air Force in the 1970s and 1980s. The program is classified, and much of the information in the open is speculative.
It is believed that 6 Jumpseat satellites were successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Titan IIIB launch vehicles with Agena D boosters between 21 March 1971 and 31 July 1983.
The 700-kg Jumpseat satellites were manufactured by Hughes Aircraft and were inserted into highly elliptical Molniya orbits with an inclination of 63 degrees and orbital periods of close to 12 hours. These were in similar orbits to the Satellite Data System relay satellites.
The successors to the Jumpseat series are the Trumpet satellites.
[edit] List of Launches
| Name | Launch date | Alt. name | COSPAR ID [1] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jumpseat 1 | 21 March 1971 | OPS 4788 | 1971-021A |
| failed Jumpseat launch | 16 February 1972 | OPS 1844, 1972-F01 | failed to achieve orbit |
| Jumpseat 2 | 21 August 1973 | OPS 7724 | 1973-056A |
| Jumpseat 3 | 10 March 1975 | OPS 2439 | 1975-017A |
| Jumpseat 4 | 25 February 1978 | OPS 6031 | 1978-021A |
| Jumpseat 5 | 13 December 1980 | OPS 5805 | 1980-100A |
| Jumpseat 6 | 31 July 1983 | OPS 7304 | 1983-078A |
[edit] External links
- Entry at astronautix.com
- Entry at Gunter's space page
- Log of satellite launches from Jonathan's Space Report
[edit] References
Richelson, Jeffrey T. ed. U.S. Military Uses of Space, 1945-1991 Vol 1, Guide. National Security Archive. 1991.
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