Jump to content

Enhanced Imaging System

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by WDGraham (talk | contribs) at 20:16, 18 December 2010 (moved KH-13 to Enhanced Imaging System over redirect: reverse redirect to make way for disambiguation). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Enhanced Imaging System (EIS), previously known as 8X, and sometimes unofficially known as Misty 2 and KH-13,[1] is an American reconnaissance satellite programme. A derivative of the Improved Crystal satellites,[2] EIS replaced Misty, and was intended to provide more coverage and dwell time than previous reconnaissance satellites,[3] like Misty, it has stealth capabilities.[4] Only one EIS satellite has been launched; USA-144, which was placed into orbit by a Titan IVB rocket on 22 May 1999.[5][6]

History

In 1995, a Los Angeles Times article reported that the 8X program was intended as "a major upgrade to the KH-12", with a mass of 20 tons[which?], which would be used for detailed imaging with a wide-field-of-view. The cost of the program was a subject of disagreement from some within the military at the time.[7][8] By 1998, the program had been renamed Enhanced Imaging System.[3] The Future Imagery Architecture program, which was intended to replace the Lacrosse and Improved Crystal satellites, was developed alongside EIS.[3]

KH-13 satellites have been used as plot devices in fiction, including Oliver North's 2005 techno thriller, The Assassins.[9] It was also used by David Hagberg's White House in 1991.[10] It is not clear whether these refer explicitly to EIS satellites.

See also

References

  1. ^ David Darling and David J. Darling (2003). The complete book of spaceflight. John Wiley and Sons. ISBN 0471056499. Several launches with Key Hole designations, including KH-11, KH-12, and KH-13, have taken place since 1992. ... The ninth and final KH-11 satellite was launched in 1998, after which the KH-12 program, involving satellites about the ... {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ Tae-Woo Lee (2008). Military Technologies of the World. ISBN 9780275995379. The advancement in the KH-series resulted in the KH-13, for which little information is yet available. ... {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ a b c Thompson, Allen (8 May 1998). "8X lives on as the Enhanced Imaging System". Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  4. ^ Thompson, Allen. "A Stealth Satellite Sourcebook" (PDF). Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  5. ^ Wade, Mark. "Improved Crystal". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  6. ^ Wade, Mark. "Misty". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  7. ^ Risen, James; Vartabedian, Ralph (1995-09-28). "U.S. Launches Costly Overhaul of Spy Satellites". Los Angeles Times.
  8. ^ Allen Thomson (1995-10-07). "8X: The monster that ate the budget".
  9. ^ Oliver North and Joe Musser (2005). The assassins. ISBN 9780805425529. ... normally "quiet time" for KH-13 #62B — the newest "Keyhole" imagery satellite "working" the region. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  10. ^ Hagberg, David (2001). White House. ISBN 9780812550641. 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)

Further reading

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Enhanced_Imaging_System&oldid=403066353"