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Enhanced Imaging System

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Enhanced Imaging System (EIS), officially also refered to as "Enhanced Imagery System", [1] previously known as 8X, and sometimes unofficially known as Misty 2 and KH-13,[2] is an American reconnaissance satellite programme. A derivative of the Improved Crystal satellites,[3] EIS replaced Misty, and was intended to provide more coverage and dwell time than previous reconnaissance satellites,[4] like Misty, it has stealth capabilities.[5] Only one EIS satellite has been launched; USA-144, which was placed into orbit by a Titan IVB rocket on 22 May 1999.[6][7]

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.[8][9] By 1998, the program had been renamed Enhanced Imaging System.[4] The Future Imagery Architecture program, which was intended to replace the Lacrosse and Improved Crystal satellites, was developed alongside EIS.[4]

KH-13 satellites have been used as plot devices in fiction, including Oliver North's 2005 techno thriller, The Assassins.[10] It was also used by David Hagberg's White House in 1991.[11] It is not clear whether these refer explicitly to EIS satellites.

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Intelligence Program FY 2010 Congressional Budget Justification: Volume IV". National Reconnaissance Program. May 2009. p. 21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  2. ^ 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)
  3. ^ 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)
  4. ^ a b c Thompson, Allen (8 May 1998). "8X lives on as the Enhanced Imaging System". Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  5. ^ Thompson, Allen. "A Stealth Satellite Sourcebook" (PDF). Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  6. ^ Wade, Mark. "Improved Crystal". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  7. ^ Wade, Mark. "Misty". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  8. ^ Risen, James; Vartabedian, Ralph (1995-09-28). "U.S. Launches Costly Overhaul of Spy Satellites". Los Angeles Times.
  9. ^ Allen Thomson (1995-10-07). "8X: The monster that ate the budget".
  10. ^ 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)
  11. ^ 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

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