KH-11 Kennan

The KH-11 KENNAN, renamed CRYSTAL in 1982^[1] and also referenced by the codenames 1010,^[2] and "Key Hole",^[2] is a type of reconnaissance satellite launched by the American National Reconnaissance Office since December 1976. 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.^[3]

Later KH-11 satellites have been referred to by outside observers as KH-11B or KH-12, and by the names "Advanced KENNAN", "Improved Crystal" and "Ikon". The Key Hole series was officially discontinued in favour of a random numbering scheme after repeated public references to KH-8 Gambit, KH-9 Hexagon, and KH-11 satellites.^[4] KH-11 satellites are believed to have been the source of some imagery of the Soviet Union and China made public in 1997, as well as images of Sudan and Afghanistan made public in 1998 that were related to the response to the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings.

Design

It is believed to resemble the Hubble Space Telescope in size and shape, as the satellites were shipped in similar containers. Furthermore, a NASA history of the Hubble,^[5] in discussing the reasons for switching from a 3-meter main mirror to a 2.4-meter design, states: "In addition, changing to a 2.4-meter mirror would lessen fabrication costs by using manufacturing technologies developed for military spy satellites." A CIA history states that the primary mirror on the first KH-11s measured 2.34 meters, but sizes increased in later versions.^[1] NRO led the development of a computer controlled mirror polishing technique, which was subsequently also used for the polishing of the primary mirror of the Hubble Space Telescope.^[6]

Assuming a 2.4-meter mirror, the theoretical ground resolution with no atmospheric degradation and 50% MTF would be roughly 15 cm (6 inches). Operational resolution would be worse due to effects of the atmosphere. Different versions of the KH-11 vary in mass, with earlier blocks ranging from 13,000 to 13,500 kilograms, whilst later blocks have a mass of around 19,600 kg. Its length is believed to be 19.5 meters, and diameter is 3 meters or less.^[1][7]

KH-11 was the first reconnaissance satellite equipped with Charge-coupled device (CCD) array technology for imaging. Data is transmitted through a network of communications satellites; the Satellite Data System.^[1] The initial ground station for the processing of the electro-optical imaging was a secret National Reconnaissance Office facility in Area 58, located in the continental United States.^[8]

Later block satellites may include signals intelligence capabilities and greater sensitivity in broader light spectrums (probably into infrared), as well as an in-flight refueling capability for extended life span and maneuverability.^[9]

Later satellites had larger mirrors, with a diameter of around 2.9–3.1 m.^[10] Jane's Defence Weekly indicates that the secondary mirror in the Cassegrain reflecting telescope system could be moved, allowing images to be taken from angles unusual for a satellite. Also, there are indications that the satellite can take images every five seconds.

After the failure of the Boeing led Future Imagery Architecture program in 2005, NRO ordered from Lockheed two additional legacy hardware KH-11s. USA-224, the first of these two, was launched in early 2011 two years ahead of schedule, and US $ 2 billion under the initial budget estimate.^[11]

Four generations of U.S. electro-optical reconnaissance have been identified:^[12][13]

Block I

Block I refers to the original KH-11 Kennan satellite, of which five were launched between 19 December 1976 and 17 November 1982.

Block II

The three Block II satellites are in the open literature referred to as KH-11B, the alleged DRAGON codename , or Crystal, and are believed to be capable of taking infrared images in addition to optical observations.^[14] The first or second Block II satellite was lost in a launch failure.^[13]

Block III

Four Block III satellites, commonly called KH-12 or Improved Crystal were launched between November 1992 and October 2001. The name "Improved Crystal" refers to the "Improved Metric CRYSTAL System" (IMCS), which adds reference markings for accurate mapping to images obtained by the satellite.^[15]

Block IV

Two electro-optical satellites launched in October 2005 and January 2011 are attributed to Block IV.

Derivatives

The Misty satellite is believed to have been derived from the KH-11, but modified to make it invisible to radar, and hard to detect visually. The first Misty satellite, USA-53, was released by the Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-36. The USA-144 satellite, launched on 22 May 1999 by a Titan IVB from Vandenberg Air Force Base may have been a second Misty satellite,^[16] or an Enhanced Imaging System spacecraft. The satellites are sometimes identified as KH-12s.

Compromise

In 1978, a young CIA employee named William Kampiles was accused of selling a KH-11 System Technical Manual describing design and operation to the Soviets. Kampiles was convicted of espionage and initially sentenced to 40 years in prison.^[17] Later, this term was reduced, and after serving 18 years, Kampiles was released in 1996.^[18][19]

In 1984 Samuel Loring Morison, an intelligence analyst at the Naval Intelligence Support Center, forwarded three classified images taken by KH-11 to the publication Jane's Fighting Ships. In 1985, Morison was convicted in Federal Court on two counts of espionage and two counts of theft of government property, and was sentenced to two years in prison.^[20] He was pardoned by President Clinton in 2001.^[21]

KH-11 missions

Nine KH-11 satellites were launched between 1976 and 1990 aboard Titan-3D and −34D rockets, with one launch failure. For the following five satellite launches between 1992 and 2005, a Titan IV launch vehicle was used. The most recent launch in 2011 was carried out by a Delta IV Heavy rocket. The KH-11 replaced the KH-9 film return satellite, among others, the last of which was lost in a liftoff explosion in 1986.

KH-11 satellites are in either of two standard planes in Sun-synchronous orbits. As shadows help to discern ground features, satellites in a standard plane east of a noon/midnight orbit observe the ground at local afternoon hours, while satellites in a western plane observe the ground at local morning hours.^[22][23] Historically launches have therefore been timed to occur either about two hours before or one hour after local noon (or midnight), respectively.^[13]

KH-11 satellites require periodic reboosts to counter atmospheric drag, or to adjust their ground track to surveillance requirements. Based on data collected by amateur observers, the following orbital characteristics of OPS 5705 were calculated by amateur skywatcher Ted Molczan.^[30]

Cost

Unit costs, including launch, in 1990 dollars are estimated to be in the range of US $ 1.25 to 1.75 billion (inflation adjusted US$ 2.1 to 2.94 billion in 2012).^[9]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Richelson, Jeffrey T. (2001). The Wizards of Langley. Inside the CIA's Directorate of Science and Technology. Westview Press, Boulder. ISBN 0-8133-4059-4. p.199-200
2. ^ ^{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
3. ^ "SOVIET MILITARY CAPABILITIES AND INTENTIONS IN SPACE (NIE 11-1-80)" (gif). Central Intelligence Agency. 8 June 1980. p. 2. http://www.foia.cia.gov/docs/DOC_0000284010/0000284010_0008.gif. Retrieved 2 June 2010. 
4. ^ Jeffrey T. Richelson (1990). America's Secret Eyes in Space: The U.S. Keyhole Spy Satellite Program. Harper & Row. p. 231. 
5. ^ The Power to Explore, NASA. In particular, Chapter XII – The Hubble Space Telescope Chapter 12, p. 483
6. ^ Tenet, George J. (27 September 2000). "DCI Remarks at the NRO 40th Anniversary Gala". CIA. https://www.cia.gov/news-information/speeches-testimony/2000/dci_speech_09272000_gala.html. 
7. ^ Mark Wade (9 August 2003). "KH-11". Encyclopedia Astronautica. http://www.astronautix.com/craft/kh11.htm. Retrieved 23 April 2004. 
8. ^ "NRO review and redaction guide (2006 ed.)". National Reconnaissance Office. http://www.fas.org/irp/nro/declass.pdf. 
9. ^ ^{a b} "U.S. Costs of Verification and Compliance Under Pending Arms Treaties (CBO Publication #528)". CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. September 1990. http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/77xx/doc7775/90-CBO-043.pdf. 
10. ^ Charles P. Vick (25 April 2007). "KH-12 Improved Crystal". GlobalSecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/kh-12.htm. 
11. ^ "10 Who Made a Difference in Space: Bruce Carlson, NRO Director". Space News / NRO. 2011-09-07. http://www.nro.gov/news/articles/2011/2011-01.pdf. 
12. ^ Day, Dwayne (22 June 2009). "Gum in the Keyhole". The Space Review. http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1400/1. 
13. ^ ^{a b c} Graham, William (20 January 2011). "Delta IV Heavy launches on debut West Coast launch with NRO L-49". nasaspaceflight.com. http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/01/live-delta-iv-heavy-launch-nro-l-49/. Retrieved 21 January 2011. 
14. ^ ^{a b c d} Vick, Charles P. (24 April 2007). "KH-11 KENNAN: RECONNAISSANCE IMAGING SPACERAFT". globalsecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/kh-11.htm. 
15. ^ Richelson, Jeffrey T. (14 April 1999). "National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 13: U.S. Satellite Imagery, 1960–1999". National Security Archive. http://www.gwu.edu/%7Ensarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB13/index.html. 
16. ^ Encyclopedia Astronautica – Misty
17. ^ Patrick Radden Keefe (February 2006). "I Spy". Wired. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.02/spy_pr.html. 
18. ^ "The Kampiles Case" (HTML). JonathanPollard.org. http://www.jonathanpollard.org/kampiles.htm. Retrieved 30 December 2010. 
19. ^ "Record of William Peter Kampiles" (HTML). Inmate Locator. Federal Bureau of Prisons. http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/InmateFinderServlet?Transaction=NameSearch&needingMoreList=false&FirstName=william&Middle=&LastName=Kampiles&Race=U&Sex=M&Age=&x=36&y=17. Retrieved 30 December 2010. 
20. ^ New York Times: Michael Wright and Caroline Rand Herron, "Two Years for Morison," December 8, 1985, accessed March 11, 2011
21. ^ New York Times: Anthony Lewis, "Abroad at Home; The Pardons in Perspective," March 3, 2001, accessed March 11, 2011
22. ^ Vick, Charles P. (25 April 2007). "IMPROVED – ADVANCED CRYSTAL / IKON / "KH-12"". globalsecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/kh-12.htm. 
23. ^ ^{a b c} Molczan, Ted (13 July 2009). "KH-11 Lifetime". satobs.org. http://satobs.org/seesat_ref/misc/KH-11_lifetime.pdf. 
24. ^ "USA 86 – Orbit Data". heavens-above.com. 23 May 2002. http://www.heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=22251. 
25. ^ "USA 116 – Orbit Data". heavens-above.com. 18 November 2008. http://www.heavens-above.com/orbitdisplay.asp?satid=23728. 
26. ^ "USA 129 – Orbit Data". heavens-above.com. 19 February 2011. http://www.heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=24680. 
27. ^ "USA 161 – Orbit Data". heavens-above.com. 15 October 2010. http://www.heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=26934. 
28. ^ "USA 186 – Orbit Data". heavens-above.com. 14 February 2011. http://www.heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=28888. 
29. ^ "USA 224 – Orbit Data". heavens-above.com. 4 February 2011. http://www.heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=37348. 
30. ^ Molczan, Ted (4 December 2002). "Examples of other 'fake space' claims by governments?". fas.org. http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/imint/tm120402.html. 

• Aviation Week, 25 Oct. 2005, p. 29

External links

• John Pike (2000-09-07). program. Federation of American Scientists. Accessed 2008-02-23.
• John Pike (1 January 1997). KH-11 product. Federation of American Scientists. Accessed 24 April 2004.
• John Pike (9 September 2000). KH-12 Improved Crystal. Federation of American Scientists. Accessed 23 April 2004.
• John Pike (22 August 1998). KH-12 product. Federation of American Scientists. Accessed 23 April 2004.
• Mark Wade (9 August 2003). KH-11. Encyclopedia Astronautica. Accessed 23 April 2004.