KH-13

The KH-13 is a name used by observers of U.S. military space programs to refer to a class of imaging spy 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.

Interpretations

In 1995, a Los Angeles Times article reported that the 8X program was 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.Citation
last1 = Risen | first1 = James
last2 = Vartabedian| first2 = Ralph
title = U.S. Launches Costly Overhaul of Spy Satellites
newspaper = Los Angeles Times
date = 1995-09-28
year = 1995
url = 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 ] cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/imint/at_951007.htm|title=8X: The monster that ate the budget|author=Allen Thomson|date=1995-10-07]

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. [cite web|author=Charles P. Vick|title=Future Imagery Architecture |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/systems/fia.htm| publisher=globalsecurity.org]

Public observations

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. [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1999-028A NSSDC ID1999-028A] . 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. [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=2001-044A NSSDC ID 2001-044A]
*USA-182 was launched on 30 April 2005 by a Titan-IVB from Vandenberg AFB. [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=2005-016A NSSDC ID 2005-16A]
*USA-186 was launched on 19 October 2005 by a Titan-IV from Vandenberg AFB. [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=2005-042A NSSDC ID 2005-042A] [cite web|url=http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Jun-2007/0055.html|title=USA 186 reboost search elements|publisher=Seesat-L|author=Ted Molczan|authorlink=Ted Molczan|date=2007-06-08]
*USA 193, also known as NRO launch 21 (NROL-21) was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base [n2yo.com: [http://www.n2yo.com/satellite.php?s=29651 USA 193 Satellite details 2006-057A NORAD 29651] ] on December 14, 2006 by a Delta II-7920 rocket. [Jonathan's Space Report: [http://www.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.575 No. 575 (2006 Dec 26)] ] Less than a month after its launch, it was reported that the U.S. spy satellite, had lost all contact with the ground. [Reuters: [http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN1147876220070111 Expensive new U.S. spy satellite not working: sources] - page 2 identifies the vehicle as "L-21"] On January 29, 2008, an AP story quoted a U.S. Air Force general, who stated that intact pieces of the satellite "might re-enter into the North American area". [ [http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Dead-Satellite.html NY Times AP Dead Satellite] ] [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=2006-057A 2006-057A] On February 21, 2008, the United States government destroyed the satellite with a modified SM3 sea-launched missile, due to the possible danger to the public of hydrazine leaking from its fuel tank if it struck a populated area and ruptured upon impact.

In popular culture

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 to those of the real surveillance satellites.

KH-13 is used as a plot device in The Canadian TV Series ReGenesis in the season 4 episode "The Sounds of Science" Which aired on May 18, 2008

References

*John Pike (July 24 1998). [http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/imint/8x.htm 8X Enhanced Imaging System] . "Federation of American Scientists". Accessed May 3 2004 (October 17 2001).
* [http://www.janes.com/aerospace/military/news/jsd/jsd011017_1_n.shtml US space-based reconnaissance reinforced] . "Jane's Defence Weekly". Accessed May 3 2004.

ee also

*Key Hole, Corona, "KH"
*KH-11
*KH-12