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KH-9

Spacecraft · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

KH-9
KH-9
Credit: Manufacturer Image

American military surveillance satellite. Popularly known as 'Big Bird'. Titan 3C-class film-return reconnaissance satellite. Reconnaissance, photo satellite built by Lockheed (prime); Perkin-Elmer (cameras) for USAF, USA. Launched 1971 - 1986.

Ground resolution 0.6 m. 2 x 1.52 m focal length camera; on 5 missions 1 x 0.30 m focal length mapping camera was carried. 4 capsules for return of film. Developed as backup to cancelled Manned Orbiting Lab. Mission life up to 275 days by end of program.

More at: KH-9.

Related

Country
USA
Launch Vehicles
Titan, Titan IIID, Titan 34D
Agency
USAF, Lockheed
Bibliography
2, 279, 5, 6, 4977, 4978, 4979, 4980, 4981, 6627, 12731

Chronology

20 events

1971 June 15

18:41 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 01 (Big Bird) - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1971-08-06 . USAF Sat Cat: 5297 . COSPAR: 1971-056A. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Perigee: 180 km (110 mi). Inclination: 96.40 deg. Period: 89.30 min. The 6595th Space Test Group at Vandenberg AFB launched the first Titan HID space booster (Vehicle D-l). KH-9 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

1972 January 20

18:36 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 02 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1972-02-29 . USAF Sat Cat: 5769 . COSPAR: 1972-002A. Apogee: 330 km (200 mi). Perigee: 153 km (95 mi). Inclination: 97.00 deg. Period: 89.30 min. KH-9 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

1972 July 7

17:46 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 03 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1972-09-13 . USAF Sat Cat: 6094 . COSPAR: 1972-052A. Apogee: 254 km (157 mi). Perigee: 176 km (109 mi). Inclination: 96.00 deg. Period: 88.70 min. KH-9 type satellite. Investigation of the upper atmosphere and outer space. .

1972 October 10

18:03 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 04 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1973-01-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 6227 . COSPAR: 1972-079A. Apogee: 281 km (174 mi). Perigee: 160 km (90 mi). Inclination: 96.50 deg. Period: 88.90 min. KH-9 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

1973 March 9

21:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 05 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1973-05-17 . USAF Sat Cat: 6382 . COSPAR: 1973-014A. Apogee: 262 km (162 mi). Perigee: 150 km (90 mi). Inclination: 95.70 deg. Period: 88.70 min. KH-9 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

1973 July 13

20:24 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 06 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1973-10-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 6727 . COSPAR: 1973-046A. Apogee: 291 km (180 mi). Perigee: 143 km (88 mi). Inclination: 96.20 deg. Period: 88.80 min. KH-9 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

1973 November 10

Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • Titan 23D no. 8 stage - . Payload: SSF 32. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1973-11-13 . USAF Sat Cat: 6929 . COSPAR: 1973-088C. Apogee: 508 km (315 mi). Perigee: 486 km (301 mi). Inclination: 96.30 deg. Period: 94.50 min. ABM monitoring. .
  • KH-9 no. 07 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1974-03-13 . USAF Sat Cat: 6928 . COSPAR: 1973-088A. Apogee: 275 km (170 mi). Perigee: 158 km (98 mi). Inclination: 96.90 deg. Period: 88.80 min. KH-9 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

1974 April 10

Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 08 Capsule - . Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. COSPAR: 1974-020xx. Apogee: 830 km (510 mi). Perigee: 786 km (488 mi). Inclination: 94.60 deg. Period: 101.10 min. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .
  • KH-9 no. 08 - . Payload: OPS 6245. Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1974-07-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 7242 . COSPAR: 1974-020A. Apogee: 285 km (177 mi). Perigee: 153 km (95 mi). Inclination: 94.50 deg. Period: 88.90 min. KH-9 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

1974 October 29

19:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 09 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1975-03-18 . USAF Sat Cat: 7495 . COSPAR: 1974-085A. Apogee: 272 km (169 mi). Perigee: 115 km (71 mi). Inclination: 96.70 deg. Period: 88.40 min. KH-9 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

1975 June 8

18:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 10 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1975-11-05 . USAF Sat Cat: 7918 . COSPAR: 1975-051A. Apogee: 272 km (169 mi). Perigee: 157 km (97 mi). Inclination: 96.30 deg. Period: 88.70 min. KH-9 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

1975 December 4

20:38 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 11 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1976-04-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 8467 . COSPAR: 1975-114A. Apogee: 234 km (145 mi). Perigee: 157 km (97 mi). Inclination: 96.30 deg. Period: 88.40 min. KH-9 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

1976 July 8

18:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 12 - . Mass: 13,000 kg (28,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1976-12-13 . USAF Sat Cat: 9006 . COSPAR: 1976-065A. Apogee: 242 km (150 mi). Perigee: 159 km (98 mi). Inclination: 97.00 deg. Period: 88.50 min. KH-9 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

1977 June 27

18:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 13 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1977-12-23 . USAF Sat Cat: 10111 . COSPAR: 1977-056A. Apogee: 239 km (148 mi). Perigee: 155 km (96 mi). Inclination: 97.00 deg. Period: 88.50 min. KH-9 type satellite. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). .

1978 March 16

18:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 14 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1978-09-11 . USAF Sat Cat: 10733 . COSPAR: 1978-029A. Apogee: 240 km (140 mi). Perigee: 160 km (90 mi). Inclination: 96.40 deg. Period: 88.50 min. KH-9 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

1979 March 16

18:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 15 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1979-09-22 . USAF Sat Cat: 11305 . COSPAR: 1979-025A. Apogee: 258 km (160 mi). Perigee: 170 km (100 mi). Inclination: 96.40 deg. Period: 88.80 min. KH-9 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

1980 June 18

18:29 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 16 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1981-03-06 . USAF Sat Cat: 11850 . COSPAR: 1980-052A. Apogee: 262 km (162 mi). Perigee: 164 km (101 mi). Inclination: 96.40 deg. Period: 88.80 min. KH-9 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). .

1982 May 11

18:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIID.
  • KH-9 no. 17 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1982-12-05 . USAF Sat Cat: 13170 . COSPAR: 1982-041A. Apogee: 262 km (162 mi). Perigee: 177 km (109 mi). Inclination: 96.40 deg. Period: 88.90 min. KH-9 type satellite. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). .

1983 June 20

18:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan 34D.
  • KH-9 no. 18 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1984-03-21 . USAF Sat Cat: 14137 . COSPAR: 1983-060A. Apogee: 259 km (160 mi). Perigee: 159 km (98 mi). Inclination: 96.50 deg. Period: 88.80 min. KH-9 type satellite. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). .

1984 June 25

18:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan 34D.
  • USA 2 - . Payload: KH-9 no. 19. Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: CIA, NRO. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1984-10-18 . USAF Sat Cat: 15063 . COSPAR: 1984-065A. Apogee: 230 km (140 mi). Perigee: 170 km (100 mi). Inclination: 96.50 deg. Period: 88.50 min. KH-9 type satellite. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). .

1986 April 18

17:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan 34D. FAILURE: SRM case insulation burned through, causing case burn-through and catastrophic explosion over pad at T+8.5 seconds.. Failed Stage: 0.
  • KH-9 no. 20 - . Mass: 13,300 kg (29,300 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military surveillance satellite. Spacecraft: KH-9. Decay Date: 1986-04-18 . KH-9 type satellite..
  • SRV-2 - . Payload: SRV-2. Mass: 11,400 kg (25,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft: KH-9.
  • SRV-1 - . Payload: SRV-1. Mass: 11,400 kg (25,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft: KH-9.
  • SRV-4 - . Payload: SRV-4. Mass: 11,400 kg (25,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft: KH-9.
  • SRV-3 - . Payload: SRV-3. Mass: 11,400 kg (25,100 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft: KH-9.