The KH-13 is a name used by observers of U.S. military space programs[who?] to refer to a class of imaging spy satellite operated by the United States. The KH-13 is the putative successor to the KH-12IMINT satellites,[citation needed] the last of which was launched in 1999.[1][2] The KH-13 designation was used as early as 1990.[3]
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.[4][5]
The KH-11/12/13 series are planned to be replaced by the planned Future Imagery Architecture digital imaging spacecraft.[citation needed] 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.[6]
USA-144 was launched on 22 May 1999 by a Titan-IV from Vandenberg AFB. NSSDC ID1999-028A. Idenfitied as KH12-4 in NASA's database, it is sometimes identified as part of the Misty program.
USA-182 (Lacrosse 5) was launched on 30 April 2005 by a Titan-IVB from Cape Canaveral. NSSDC ID 2005-16A Amateurs have noticed an unusual optical behavior, rapidly increasing and decreasing in brightness.[9]Template:List fact
USA 193, also known as NRO launch 21 (NROL-21) was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base[11] on December 14, 2006 by a Delta II-7920 rocket.[12] Less than a month after its launch, it was reported that the U.S. spy satellite had lost all contact with the ground.[13] 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".[14]2006-057A On February 21, 2008, the United States government destroyed the satellite with a modified SM3 sea-launched missile, purportedly 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.Template:List fact
^Hagberg, David (2001). White House. ISBN9780812550641. It was one in the afternoon in the Yellow Sea, the cloud cover was only partial, and the first KH-13 satellite was about 45 degrees above the horizon, the conditions perfect, yet even Louise was startled by the clarity of the pictures. ...{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
