KH-8

The KH-8, codenamed GAMBIT was a long-lived series of reconnaissance satellites used by the United States from July 1966 to April 1984. Also known as Low Altitude Surveillance Platform. [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/imint-overview.htm Global Security Space Systems IMINT Overviw] LASP] The satellite ejected canisters of photographic film that were retrieved as they descended through the atmosphere by parachute. Ground resolution of the satellite was 0.5 meters. There were 54 launch attempts of the 3000 kilogram satellites, all from Vandenberg Air Force Base, on variants of the Titan III rocket. The KH-8 was manufactured by Lockheed. The camera system/satellite was manufactured by the Eastman Kodak Company, A&O Division in Rochester, N.Y.

The Gambit codename was also used by the satellite's predecessor, the KH-7.

Launch list

(NSSDC ID Numbers: "See" COSPAR)

References

*Mark Wade (August 9, 2003). [http://www.astronautix.com/craft/kh8.htm KH-8] . "Encyclopedia Astronautica". Accessed April 23, 2004.
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/kh-8.htm KH-8 Gambit.] GlobalSecurity.org

Other U.S. imaging spy satellites

*Corona series: KH-1, KH-2, KH-3, KH-4
*KH-5 ARGON, KH-6 LANYARD
*KH-7 and KH-8 GAMBIT
*KH-9 HEXAGON "Big Bird"
*MOL -- KH-10
*KH-11, KH-12, KH-13