KH-5

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Codenamed Argon, the KH-5 was a series of reconnaissance satellites produced by the United States from February 1961 to August 1964. The KH-5 operated similarly to the Corona series of satellites, as it ejected a canister of photographic film. At least 12 missions were attempted, but at least 7 resulted in failure. The satellite was manufactured by Lockheed.

Different versions of the satellite varied in mass from 1150 kilograms to 1500 kg. At least two missions deployed ELINT subsatellites. Ground resolution for the satellite was 140 meters, with a swath of 556 km. The onboard camera had a focal length of 76 mm. The purpose of the system, which produced relatively low-resolution images compared to other spy satellites, was to provide imagery for mapmaking purposes. This was one of the tasks that had originally been planned for the Samos series of satellites equipped with the (quickly cancelled) "E-4" cameras. Each satellite took photographs for less than a week before returning its film.

The satellite was in use during the same period as the KH-2-KH-4A Corona and the KH-6 Lanyard satellites. Later satellites were the KH-4B and KH-7. Images from three of the successful missions returned the first images of Antarctica from space. ^[1]

[edit] Launches

Name	Launch Date	NSSDC ID No.	Alt Name	Alt Name	Mass (kg)	Decay Date	Notes
KH-5 9014A	1961-02-17	1961-005A	Discoverer 20	1961 Epsillon	1100	1962-07-28	Film capsule not ejected
KH-5 9016A	1961-04-08	1961-011A	Discoverer 23	1961 Lambda	1150	1962-04-16	Film capsule ejected into wrong orbit, not recovered
KH-5 9018A	1961-06- 8	DISC24	Discoverer 24	1961-F05	1150	---	Failed to orbit
KH-5 9020A	1961-07-21	DISC27	Discoverer 27	1961-F07	1150	---	Failed to orbit
KH-5 9034A	1962-05-15	1962-018A	FTV 1126	1962 Sigma	1150	1962-06-20	Successful.
KH-5 9042A	1962-09- 1	1962-044A	FTV 1132	1962 A Upsillon	1150	1962-10-01	Film capsule sank.
KH-5 9046A	1962-10- 9	1962-053A	FTV 1134	1962 B Epsillon	1500	1962-10-17	Successful.
KH-5 9055A	1963-04-26	1963-F07	OPS 1008	1963-F07	1150	---	Failed to orbit
KH-5 9058A	1963-08-29	1963-035A	OPS 1561	1963-035	1000	1963-09-30	Successful; deployed ELINT subsatellite
KH-5 9059A	1963-10-29	1963-042A	OPS 2437	1963-042	1500	1963-11-29	Successful; deployed ELINT subsatellite
KH-5 9065A	1964-06-13	1964-030A	OPS 3236	1964-030	1500	1964-07-14	Successful.
KH-5 9066A	1964-08-21	1964-048A	OPS 2739	1964-048	1500	1964-09-20	Successful.