KH-11

The KH-11, also referenced by the codenames 1010cite book|author=Yenne, Bill|title="The Encyclopedia of US Spacecraft"|publisher=Exeter Books (A Bison Book), New York|year=1985|id=ISBN 0-671-07580-2p.82 Key Hole] , Crystal and Kennancite web| url=http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/imint/kh-11.htm| title=KH-11 Crystal/Kennan| author=John Pike|accessdate=2007-07-27] , 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 Lockheedcoord|37.410|N|122.029|W| 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 15 cm (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.cite web| author=Mark Wade| date=August 9, 2003 |url=http://www.astronautix.com/craft/kh11.htm| title=KH-11 | publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica| access-date=2004-04-23] 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"coord|38.736|N|77.158|W| NRO facility at Fort Belvoir on January 20, 1977.Fact|date=February 2008

KH-11s generally operated for 2-3 years, although it is believed that at least one, KH-11/6, was operational for 11 years.cite web| url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/kh-11.htm|author=Charles P. Vick| title=KH-11 Kennan|publisher=globalsecurity.org|date=2007-04-24|accessdate=2007-07-27] 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. [cite web| url=http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.02/spy_pr.html | title=I Spy | publisher=Wired | author=Patrick Radden Keefe |month=February | year=2006]

Launch specifications

*Typical orbit: Elliptical, convert|185|mi|km|0 by convert|275|mi|km|0

References

* Aviation Week, Oct. 25, 2005, p. 29

External links

* John Pike (2000-09-07). [http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/imint/kh-11.htm program] . "Federation of American Scientists". Accessed 2008-02-23.
* John Pike (January 1, 1997). [http://www.fas.org/irp/imint/kh-11.htm KH-11 product] . "Federation of American Scientists". Accessed April 24, 2004.
* Mark Wade (August 9, 2003). [http://www.astronautix.com/craft/kh11.htm KH-11] . "Encyclopedia Astronautica". Accessed April 23, 2004.