KH-9

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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.

AKA: 1900;Hexagon. Status: Operational 1971. First Launch: 1971-06-15. Last Launch: 1986-04-18. Number: 26 . Gross mass: 11,400 kg (25,100 lb). Height: 15.20 m (49.80 ft).

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.

Family: Military surveillance sat, Surveillance, Surveillance orbit. Country: USA. Launch Vehicles: Titan, Titan IIID, Titan 34D. Launch Sites: Vandenberg, Vandenberg SLC4E. Agency: USAF, Lockheed. Bibliography: 2, 279, 5, 6, 4977, 4978, 4979, 4980, 4981, 6627, 12731.

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.

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