KH-7

Code Name: Gambit. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Destination: Surveillance Orbit. Nation: USA. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Manufacturer: Lockheed.

US reconnaissance satellite. Still classified. Camera believed to have ground resolution of 0.46 m. Film returned in two capsules. Typical life seven days.

Typical orbit: 165 x 307 km, 98.1 deg inclinaton. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Associated Launch Vehicle: Atlas LV-3A / Agena D, SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D.

KH-7 Chronology

1963 December 18 - KH 7-04 - Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Vehicle: Atlas LV-3A / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 122 km (75 mi). Apogee: 266 km (165 mi). Inclination: 97.90 deg. Period: 88.50 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1963 July 12 - KH 7-01 (Gambit) - Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Vehicle: Atlas LV-3A / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 173 km (107 mi). Apogee: 212 km (131 mi). Inclination: 95.30 deg. Period: 88.30 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1963 October 25 - KH 7-03 - Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Vehicle: Atlas LV-3A / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 123 km (76 mi). Apogee: 312 km (193 mi). Inclination: 99.00 deg. Period: 88.80 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1963 October 25 - Agena D - Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Vehicle: Atlas LV-3A / Agena D. Perigee: 116 km (72 mi). Apogee: 276 km (171 mi). Inclination: 99.00 deg. Period: 88.41 min.
Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1963 September 6 - KH 7-02 - Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Vehicle: Atlas LV-3A / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 171 km (106 mi). Apogee: 243 km (150 mi). Inclination: 94.40 deg. Period: 88.70 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1964 April 23 - KH 7-07 - Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Vehicle: Atlas LV-3A / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 150 km (90 mi). Apogee: 336 km (208 mi). Inclination: 103.60 deg. Period: 89.40 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1964 August 14 - KH 7-10 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 165 km (102 mi). Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Inclination: 95.40 deg. Period: 89.10 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1964 December 4 - KH 7-14 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 158 km (98 mi). Apogee: 357 km (221 mi). Inclination: 97.00 deg. Period: 89.70 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1964 February 25 - KH 7-05 - Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Vehicle: Atlas LV-3A / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 135 km (83 mi). Apogee: 135 km (83 mi). Inclination: 95.60 deg. Period: 87.20 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1964 July 6 - KH 7-09 - Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Vehicle: Atlas LV-3A / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 121 km (75 mi). Apogee: 345 km (214 mi). Inclination: 92.90 deg. Period: 89.10 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1964 March 11 - KH 7-06 - Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Vehicle: Atlas LV-3A / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 163 km (101 mi). Apogee: 203 km (126 mi). Inclination: 95.70 deg. Period: 88.20 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1964 May 19 - KH 7-08 - Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Vehicle: Atlas LV-3A / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 141 km (87 mi). Apogee: 380 km (230 mi). Inclination: 101.10 deg. Period: 89.70 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1964 October 23 - SRV - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Atlas LV-3A / Agena D. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Perigee: 311 km (193 mi). Apogee: 344 km (213 mi). Inclination: 95.50 deg. Period: 91.10 min.
Radar monitoring.

1964 October 23 - KH 7-13 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Atlas LV-3A / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 140 km (80 mi). Apogee: 267 km (165 mi). Inclination: 95.50 deg. Period: 88.50 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1964 October 8 - KH-7 12 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. FAILURE: Failure. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb).
KH-7 type satellite.

1964 October 8 - SRV - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. FAILURE: Failure.

1964 September 23 - KH 7-11 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 143 km (88 mi). Apogee: 303 km (188 mi). Inclination: 92.90 deg. Period: 88.90 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1965 April 28 - KH 7-17 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 180 km (110 mi). Apogee: 259 km (160 mi). Inclination: 95.60 deg. Period: 89.00 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1965 August 3 - KH 7-21 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 278 km (172 mi). Apogee: 352 km (218 mi). Inclination: 107.40 deg. Period: 90.80 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1965 January 23 - KH 7-15 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 146 km (90 mi). Apogee: 291 km (180 mi). Inclination: 102.50 deg. Period: 88.90 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1965 July 12 - SRV - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. FAILURE: Failure.

1965 July 12 - KH-7-20 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. FAILURE: Failure. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb).
KH-7 type satellite.

1965 June 25 - KH 7-19 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 254 km (157 mi). Apogee: 349 km (216 mi). Inclination: 107.60 deg. Period: 90.50 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1965 March 12 - KH 7-16 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 223 km (138 mi). Apogee: 358 km (222 mi). Inclination: 107.50 deg. Period: 90.30 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1965 May 27 - KH 7-18 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 149 km (92 mi). Apogee: 267 km (165 mi). Inclination: 95.60 deg. Period: 88.70 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1965 November 8 - KH 7-23 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 280 km (170 mi). Apogee: 352 km (218 mi). Inclination: 93.90 deg. Period: 90.80 min.
Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1965 September 30 - KH 7-22 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 237 km (147 mi). Apogee: 361 km (224 mi). Inclination: 95.60 deg. Period: 90.50 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1966 April 19 - KH 7-27 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 139 km (86 mi). Apogee: 375 km (233 mi). Inclination: 116.90 deg. Period: 89.60 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1966 August 16 - KH 7-31 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 143 km (88 mi). Apogee: 330 km (200 mi). Inclination: 93.20 deg. Period: 89.20 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1966 December 5 - KH 7-35 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 137 km (85 mi). Apogee: 341 km (211 mi). Inclination: 104.60 deg. Period: 89.20 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1966 February 15 - KH 7-25 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 142 km (88 mi). Apogee: 290 km (180 mi). Inclination: 96.50 deg. Period: 88.90 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1966 January 19 - KH 7-24 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 138 km (85 mi). Apogee: 259 km (160 mi). Inclination: 93.80 deg. Period: 88.40 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1966 July 12 - KH 7-30 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 150 km (90 mi). Apogee: 261 km (162 mi). Inclination: 95.50 deg. Period: 88.70 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1966 June 3 - KH 7-29 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 143 km (88 mi). Apogee: 288 km (178 mi). Inclination: 87.00 deg. Period: 88.90 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1966 March 18 - KH 7-26 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Perigee: 162 km (100 mi). Apogee: 308 km (191 mi). Inclination: 101.00 deg. Period: 89.30 min.
Not identified as a subsatellite ferret by McDowell.

1966 May 14 - KH 7-28 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 130 km (80 mi). Apogee: 319 km (198 mi). Inclination: 110.50 deg. Period: 89.00 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1966 November 2 - KH 7-34 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 159 km (98 mi). Apogee: 305 km (189 mi). Inclination: 91.00 deg. Period: 89.20 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1966 October 12 - KH 7-33 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 155 km (96 mi). Apogee: 287 km (178 mi). Inclination: 91.00 deg. Period: 89.00 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1966 September 16 - KH 7-32 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 146 km (90 mi). Apogee: 328 km (203 mi). Inclination: 93.90 deg. Period: 89.20 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1967 February 2 - KH 7-36 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 136 km (84 mi). Apogee: 357 km (221 mi). Inclination: 103.00 deg. Period: 89.50 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1967 February 2 - Agena D - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Perigee: 126 km (78 mi). Apogee: 285 km (177 mi). Inclination: 102.70 deg. Period: 88.61 min.

1967 June 4 - KH 7-38 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 149 km (92 mi). Apogee: 456 km (283 mi). Inclination: 104.90 deg. Period: 90.60 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1967 May 22 - KH 7-37 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas / Agena D. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Perigee: 135 km (83 mi). Apogee: 293 km (182 mi). Inclination: 91.50 deg. Period: 88.80 min.
KH-7 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

Bibliography and Further Reading

Bramscher, Robert G, Spaceflight, "A Survey of Launch Vehicle Failures", 1980, Volume 22, page 351.

McDowell, Jonathon, Quest, "US Reconnaissance Satellite Programs Part 2", 1995, Volume 4, Issue 4, page 49.

McDowell, Jonathan, Launch Log, October 1998. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited since Sputnik. Accessed at: http://hea-www.harvard.edu/~jcm/space/log/launch.html.

JPL Mission and Spacecraft Library, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1997. Accessed at: http://msl.jpl.nasa.gov/home.html.

Krebs, Gunter, Gunter's Space Page, University of Frankfurt, 1996. Accessed at: http://www.skyrocket.de/space.

McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

USAF Satellite Database, USAF Institute of Technology, 1995. Accessed at: ftp://archive.afit.af.mil/pub/space/.

Lockheed Martin Coporation, Atlas Family Fact Sheets, September 1998.. Accessed at: http://www.lmco.com/ILS/txtmain/ils_lsysinfo.htm.

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