KH-11
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The KH-11, also referenced by the codenames 1010[1], Crystal and Kennan[2], also commonly known as "Key Hole", was a type of reconnaissance satellite launched by the American National Reconnaissance Office between December 1976 and 1990 and used until present. Manufactured by Lockheed in Sunnyvale, California, the KH-11 was the first American spy satellite to utilize electro-optical digital imaging, and create a real-time optical observation capability.
Nine or ten KH-11 satellites were launched between 1976 and 1990 aboard Titan-3D and -34D rockets, with one launch failure. The KH-11 replaced the KH-9 film return satellite, among others, the last of which was lost in a liftoff explosion in 1986. It is believed to resemble the Hubble Space Telescope in size and shape, as the satellites were shipped in similar containers. Using a powerful 2.3-meter mirror, the theoretical ground resolution with no atmospheric degradation and 50% MTF would be roughly 0.15 meter (6 inches). Operational resolution would be worse due to effects of the atmosphere. Different versions of the KH-11 vary in mass from 13,000 to 13,500 kilograms. Its length is believed to be 19.5 meters, and diameter is 3 meters or less.[3] Data was transmitted through the United States military's Satellite Data System relay network.
The first KH-11 image was sent to the "Area 58" NRO facility at Fort Belvoir on January 20, 1977.[citation needed]
KH-11s generally operated for 2-3 years, although it is believed that at least one, KH-11/6, was operational for 11 years.[4] It is believed that the KH-11 began to be replaced by the KH-12 around 1990.
Many observers believe that the KH-12 is really just an incremental improvement over the KH-11, so some still call later satellites KH-11s. The "Improved Crystal" nickname that the KH-12 has also comes from the idea that it is just incrementally better. The main difference is that the KH-12 might include the ability for "live" viewing of imagery. An additional capability reportedly was developed under the code name of DRAGON and adds thermal imaging, probably in the 3 to 5 micrometre mid-wavelength infrared band, though perhaps at 10 micrometres.
In 1978, a young CIA employee named William Kampiles sold the Soviets a technical manual describing the design and operation of KH-11s. Kampiles was convicted of espionage and sentenced to 40 years in prison.[5]
[edit] Launch specifications
- Typical orbit: Elliptical, 185 miles (298 km) by 275 miles (443 km)[1]
| Name | Launch date | ID | Alt. name | Decay date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KH11-1 | 19 December 1976 | 1976-125A | OPS-5705 | 28 January 1979 |
| KH11-2 | 14 June 1978 | 1978-060A | OPS4515 | 23 August 1981 |
| KH11-3 | 7 February 1980 | 1980-010A | OPS-2581 | 30 October 1982 |
| KH11-4 | 3 September 1981 | 1981-085A | OPS-3984 | 23 November 1984 |
| KH11-5 | 17 November 1982 | 1982-111A | OPS-9627 | 13 August 1985 |
| KH11-6 | 4 December 1984 | 1984-122A | USA-6 | still in orbit as of March 2007 |
| KH11-7 | 28 August 1985 | 1985-F02 | USA | failed to reach orbit |
| KH11-8 | 26 October 1987 | 1987-090A | USA-27 | still in orbit as of March 2007 |
| KH11-9 | 6 November 1988 | 1988-099A | USA-33 | still in orbit as of March 2007 |
| KH11-10 | 1 Mar 1990 (deployed from STS-36) |
1990-019B | USA-53 | ? (usually identified as MISTY) |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Yenne, Bill (1985). The Encyclopedia of US Spacecraft. Exeter Books (A Bison Book), New York. ISBN 0-671-07580-2.p.82 Key Hole
- ^ John Pike. KH-11 Crystal/Kennan. Retrieved on 2007-07-27.
- ^ Mark Wade (August 9, 2003). KH-11. Encyclopedia Astronautica.
- ^ Charles P. Vick (2007-04-24). KH-11 Kennan. globalsecurity.org. Retrieved on 2007-07-27.
- ^ Patrick Radden Keefe (February 2006). I Spy. Wired.
- Aviation Week, Oct. 25, 2005, p. 29
[edit] External links
- John Pike (2000-09-07). program. Federation of American Scientists. Accessed 2008-02-23.
- John Pike (January 1, 1997). KH-11 product. Federation of American Scientists. Accessed April 24, 2004.
- Mark Wade (August 9, 2003). KH-11. Encyclopedia Astronautica. Accessed April 23, 2004.
