The KH-13 is a name used by observers of U.S. military space programs to refer to a class of imaging reconnaissance satellite operated by the United States. The KH-13 is the putative successor to the "KH-12" IMINT satellites, the last of which was launched in 1999. Almost everything about these satellites is classified; observers acknowledge that "KH-13" is probably not the program's "real" name. KH-13 may or may not be the same project as 8X, later rechristened as EIS (Enhanced Imaging System), and may or may not involve satellite stealth technology (see Misty). Some believe that the 8X/EIS project is different from the KH-13. Observers have also speculated that the newer satellites might be an enhanced version of the KH-12 that incorporates extends its observations into the infrared, or that uses radar. The "KH-13" satellites probably have a shape similar to that of the Hubble Space Telescope—a shape its predecessors (e.g. KH-11) are believed to have as well. In 1995, a Los Angeles Times article reported that the 8X program was an intended as "a major upgrade to the KH-12". However, the 8X was reported to depart from the KH-12 in that the 8X was speculated to weigh 20 tons. The 8X was reported as fulfilling a detailed wide-field-of-view imaging role. The cost of the program was a subject of disagreement from some within the military at the time.[1] [2] The KH-11/12/13 series are planned to be replaced by the planned Future Imagery Architecture digital imaging spacecraft. The contract for these planned spacecraft was initially awarded to Boeing in 1999, but in September 2005 the contract was shifted to Lockheed after cost overruns and delays of the delivery date.[3] Amateur satellite observers have identified several satellites in sun-synchronous orbits which might be new IMINT satellites:
- USA-144 was launched on 22 May 1999 by a Titan-IV from Vandenberg AFB. 1999-028A. Idenfitied as KH12-4 in NASA's database, it is sometimes identified as part of the Misty program.
- USA-161 was launched on 5 October 2001 by a Titan-IV from Vandenberg AFB. 2001-044A
- USA-186 was launched on 19 October 2005 by a Titan-IV from Vandenberg AFB. 2005-042A [4]
The KH-13 is also the subject of Bruce Sterling's science fiction book The Zenith Angle, released in April 2004. Since the capabilities of the real satellites are not publicly known, it is impossible to compare the abilities of those described in the book are to those of the real surveillance satellites.
References
- ^ Risen, James & Vartabedian, Ralph (1995-09-28), "U.S. Launches Costly Overhaul of Spy Satellites", Los Angeles Times, <http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/21380120.html?dids=21380120:21380120&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+28%2C+1995&author=JAMES+RISEN&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=1&desc=U.S.+Launches+Costly+Overhaul+of+Spy+Satellites>
- ^ Allen Thomson (1995-10-07). 8X: The monster that ate the budget.
- ^ Charles P. Vick. Future Imagery Architecture. globalsecurity.org.
- ^ Ted Molczan (2007-06-08). USA 186 reboost search elements. Seesat-L.
- John Pike (July 24 1998). 8X Enhanced Imaging System. Federation of American Scientists. Accessed May 3 2004.
- (October 17 2001). US space-based reconnaissance reinforced. Jane's Defence Weekly. Accessed May 3 2004.
