KH-8

KH-8 Concept

Article Number: 1700. Code Name: Gambit. Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Destination: Surveillance Orbit. Nation: USA. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Manufacturer: Lockheed.

Longest-lived and last US film-return reconnaissance satellite. Ground resolution 0.5 m. Film returned in two capsules. Typical life of late models 50 days.

Typical orbit: 135 km x 408 km at 92 to 111.5 degrees inclination. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Associated Launch Vehicle: Titan 23B, Titan 24B, Titan 3B.

KH-8 Chronology

1966 December 14 - OPS 8968 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 147 km (91 mi). Apogee: 392 km (243 mi). Inclination: 109.50 deg. Period: 89.90 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1966 July 29 - OPS 3014 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 154 km (95 mi). Apogee: 252 km (156 mi). Inclination: 94.20 deg. Period: 88.50 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1966 September 28 - OPS 4096 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 146 km (90 mi). Apogee: 287 km (178 mi). Inclination: 93.90 deg. Period: 88.80 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1967 April 26 - SRV-2 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. FAILURE: Failure.

1967 April 26 - SRV-1 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. FAILURE: Failure.

1967 April 26 - OPS 4243 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. FAILURE: Stage 2 engine lost thust. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb).
KH-8 type satellite.

1967 August 16 - OPS 4886 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 123 km (76 mi). Apogee: 445 km (276 mi). Inclination: 111.50 deg. Period: 90.10 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1967 December 5 - OPS 5000 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 141 km (87 mi). Apogee: 428 km (265 mi). Inclination: 109.50 deg. Period: 90.20 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1967 February 24 - OPS 4204 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 135 km (83 mi). Apogee: 414 km (257 mi). Inclination: 107.00 deg. Period: 90.00 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1967 June 20 - OPS 4282 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 127 km (78 mi). Apogee: 325 km (201 mi). Inclination: 111.40 deg. Period: 89.00 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1967 October 25 - OPS 4995 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 134 km (83 mi). Apogee: 431 km (267 mi). Inclination: 111.50 deg. Period: 90.10 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1967 September 19 - OPS 4941 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 122 km (75 mi). Apogee: 401 km (249 mi). Inclination: 106.00 deg. Period: 89.70 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1968 April 17 - OPS 5105 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 127 km (78 mi). Apogee: 421 km (261 mi). Inclination: 111.40 deg. Period: 89.90 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1968 August 6 - OPS 5187 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 142 km (88 mi). Apogee: 395 km (245 mi). Inclination: 110.00 deg. Period: 89.90 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1968 December 4 - OPS 6518 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 137 km (85 mi). Apogee: 735 km (456 mi). Inclination: 106.20 deg. Period: 93.30 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1968 January 18 - OPS 5028 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 137 km (85 mi). Apogee: 405 km (251 mi). Inclination: 111.50 deg. Period: 89.90 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1968 June 5 - OPS 5138 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 123 km (76 mi). Apogee: 456 km (283 mi). Inclination: 110.50 deg. Period: 90.30 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1968 March 13 - OPS 5057 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 128 km (79 mi). Apogee: 407 km (252 mi). Inclination: 99.90 deg. Period: 89.90 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1968 November 6 - OPS 5296 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 130 km (80 mi). Apogee: 390 km (240 mi). Inclination: 106.00 deg. Period: 89.70 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1968 September 10 - OPS 5247 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 125 km (77 mi). Apogee: 404 km (251 mi). Inclination: 106.10 deg. Period: 89.80 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1969 April 15 - OPS 5310 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 135 km (83 mi). Apogee: 410 km (250 mi). Inclination: 108.80 deg. Period: 90.00 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1969 August 23 - OPS 7807 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 138 km (85 mi). Apogee: 377 km (234 mi). Inclination: 108.10 deg. Period: 89.60 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1969 January 22 - OPS 7585 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 142 km (88 mi). Apogee: 1,090 km (670 mi). Inclination: 106.20 deg. Period: 97.00 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1969 June 3 - OPS 1077 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 137 km (85 mi). Apogee: 414 km (257 mi). Inclination: 110.00 deg. Period: 90.00 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1969 March 4 - OPS 4248 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Perigee: 134 km (83 mi). Apogee: 461 km (286 mi). Inclination: 92.00 deg. Period: 90.50 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1969 October 24 - OPS 8455 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 136 km (84 mi). Apogee: 740 km (450 mi). Inclination: 108.00 deg. Period: 93.40 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1970 April 15 - OPS 2863 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 130 km (80 mi). Apogee: 388 km (241 mi). Inclination: 111.00 deg. Period: 89.70 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1970 August 18 - OPS 7874 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 149 km (92 mi). Apogee: 377 km (234 mi). Inclination: 111.10 deg. Period: 89.80 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1970 January 14 - OPS 6531 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 134 km (83 mi). Apogee: 383 km (237 mi). Inclination: 110.00 deg. Period: 89.70 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1970 June 25 - OPS 6820 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 144 km (89 mi). Apogee: 393 km (244 mi). Inclination: 108.90 deg. Period: 89.80 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1970 October 23 - OPS 7568 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 135 km (83 mi). Apogee: 396 km (246 mi). Inclination: 111.10 deg. Period: 89.80 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1971 April 22 - OPS 7899 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 132 km (82 mi). Apogee: 403 km (250 mi). Inclination: 110.60 deg. Period: 89.80 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1971 August 12 - OPS 8607 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 137 km (85 mi). Apogee: 424 km (263 mi). Inclination: 111.00 deg. Period: 90.10 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1971 January 21 - OPS 7776 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 139 km (86 mi). Apogee: 418 km (259 mi). Inclination: 110.90 deg. Period: 90.10 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1971 October 23 - OPS 7616 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 135 km (83 mi). Apogee: 369 km (229 mi). Inclination: 110.90 deg. Period: 89.50 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1971 October 23 - SRV-2 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Perigee: 93 km (57 mi). Apogee: 330 km (200 mi). Inclination: 110.90 deg. Period: 88.73 min.

1972 December 21 - OPS 3978 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 139 km (86 mi). Apogee: 378 km (234 mi). Inclination: 110.50 deg. Period: 89.70 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1972 March 17 - OPS 1678 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 131 km (81 mi). Apogee: 409 km (254 mi). Inclination: 111.00 deg. Period: 89.90 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1972 May 20 - SRV-1 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B.

1972 May 20 - OPS 6574 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B.

1972 May 20 - SRV-2 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B.

1972 September 1 - OPS 8888 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 142 km (88 mi). Apogee: 381 km (236 mi). Inclination: 110.40 deg. Period: 89.70 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1973 June 26 - SRV-1 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. FAILURE: Failure.

1973 June 26 - SRV-2 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. FAILURE: Failure.

1973 June 26 - OPS 4018 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. FAILURE: Agena upper stage failed to orbit. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb).

1973 May 16 - OPS 2093 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 136 km (84 mi). Apogee: 352 km (218 mi). Inclination: 110.50 deg. Period: 89.40 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1973 September 27 - OPS 6275 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 131 km (81 mi). Apogee: 385 km (239 mi). Inclination: 110.50 deg. Period: 89.70 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1974 August 14 - OPS 3004 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 135 km (83 mi). Apogee: 402 km (249 mi). Inclination: 110.50 deg. Period: 89.90 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1974 February 13 - OPS 6889 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 135 km (83 mi). Apogee: 396 km (246 mi). Inclination: 110.40 deg. Period: 89.90 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1974 June 6 - OPS 1776 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 136 km (84 mi). Apogee: 394 km (244 mi). Inclination: 110.50 deg. Period: 89.80 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1975 April 18 - OPS 4883 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 133 km (82 mi). Apogee: 398 km (247 mi). Inclination: 110.50 deg. Period: 89.80 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1975 October 9 - OPS 5499 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 145 km (90 mi). Apogee: 274 km (170 mi). Inclination: 96.40 deg. Period: 88.60 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1976 March 22 - OPS 7600 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 125 km (77 mi). Apogee: 347 km (215 mi). Inclination: 96.40 deg. Period: 89.30 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1976 September 15 - OPS 8533 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 142 km (88 mi). Apogee: 337 km (209 mi). Inclination: 96.40 deg. Period: 89.20 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1977 March 13 - OPS 4915 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 141 km (87 mi). Apogee: 329 km (204 mi). Inclination: 96.40 deg. Period: 89.10 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1977 September 23 - OPS 7471 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 134 km (83 mi). Apogee: 335 km (208 mi). Inclination: 96.50 deg. Period: 89.10 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1979 May 28 - OPS 7164 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb). Perigee: 131 km (81 mi). Apogee: 285 km (177 mi). Inclination: 96.40 deg. Period: 88.70 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1981 February 28 - OPS 1166 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 138 km (85 mi). Apogee: 336 km (208 mi). Inclination: 96.40 deg. Period: 89.30 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1982 January 21 - OPS 2849 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Perigee: 137 km (85 mi). Apogee: 527 km (327 mi). Inclination: 97.30 deg. Period: 91.20 min.
Possible test of KH-12 systems. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1983 April 15 - OPS 2925 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 131 km (81 mi). Apogee: 305 km (189 mi). Inclination: 96.50 deg. Period: 88.90 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1984 April 17 - OPS 8424 - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Titan 3B. Mass: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). Perigee: 127 km (78 mi). Apogee: 311 km (193 mi). Inclination: 96.40 deg. Period: 88.90 min.
KH-8 type satellite. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

Bibliography and Further Reading

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.

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

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.

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

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