Spy satellite

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A spy satellite (officially referred to as a reconnaissance satellite or recon sat^{[citation needed]}) is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications. Until the 1970s and even the 1980s, many reconnaissance satellites that took photographs would eject canisters of photographic film, which would descend to earth and be retrieved in mid-air as they floated down on parachutes.^{[citation needed]}

The term "reconnaissance satellite" is preferred^{[citation needed]}, as "spy satellite" often has negative connotations.

In the United States, the most information is available on programs that existed up to 1972. Some information about programs prior to that time is still classified, and a small trickle of information is available on subsequent missions. A few up-to-date reconnaissance satellite images have been declassified on occasion, or leaked, as in the case of KH-11 photographs which were sent to Jane's Defence Weekly in 1985.

Examples of reconnaissance satellite missions:

High resolution photography (IMINT)
Communications eavesdropping (SIGINT)
Covert communications (HUMINT)
Enforcement of nuclear test bans (see National Technical Means)
Detection of missile launches

Types of spy satellites

United States
- Lacrosse/Onyx
- Misty/Zirconic
- Samos
- Quasar
- Vela
- Vortex/Chalet
- Key Hole (KH) series of imaging satellites:

Time period Designation Code name
or Nickname Optics Notes

1959–1972 KH-1 to
KH-4 Corona Resolution: 7.5 m, 2.75 m, 1.8 m
Focal length: 0.6 m First known series of US spy satellites; photographs returned by film canister ejection.

1960–1962 – Samos Res: 30 to 1.5 m
Foc len: 0.7 to 1.83 m Most flights used radio to relay images; some film returns; probably cancelled due to poor-quality imagery.

1961–1964 KH-5 Argon Res: 140 m
Foc len: 76 mm Film return.

1963 KH-6 Lanyard Res: 1.8 m
Foc len: 1.67 m Shortlived operation for imaging a specific site; used a camera from the Samos program; film return.

1963–1967 KH-7 Gambit Res: 0.46 m Film return.

1966–1984 KH-8 Gambit Res: 0.5 m Film return.

1971–1986 KH-9 Hexagon
Big Bird Res: 0.30 m Film return.

cancelled KH-10 Dorian Manned Orbiting Laboratory; space station based on Gemini program.

1976–1995 KH-11 Crystal
Kennan Res: 0.15 m
Mirror: 2.3 m First known digital imaging spy satellite. Thought possibly to be similar in size and overall layout to the Hubble Space Telescope.

1990?–present? KH-12 Ikon
Improved Crystal Res: 0.15 to 0.10? m
Mirror: 2.4 to 4? m Digital imaging; probably incorporates low light level visible and 3 to 5 micrometre infrared imaging capabilities; possible "live" intelligence gathering.

1999?–present? KH-13 8X? EIS? Res: 0.10? to 0.04? m
Mirror: 4? m Very little known; possibly includes radar imaging or maybe stealth technology.

Time period	Designation	Code name or Nickname	Optics	Notes
1959–1972	KH-1 to KH-4	Corona	Resolution: 7.5 m, 2.75 m, 1.8 m Focal length: 0.6 m	First known series of US spy satellites; photographs returned by film canister ejection.
1960–1962	–	Samos	Res: 30 to 1.5 m Foc len: 0.7 to 1.83 m	Most flights used radio to relay images; some film returns; probably cancelled due to poor-quality imagery.
1961–1964	KH-5	Argon	Res: 140 m Foc len: 76 mm	Film return.
1963	KH-6	Lanyard	Res: 1.8 m Foc len: 1.67 m	Shortlived operation for imaging a specific site; used a camera from the Samos program; film return.
1963–1967	KH-7	Gambit	Res: 0.46 m	Film return.
1966–1984	KH-8	Gambit	Res: 0.5 m	Film return.
1971–1986	KH-9	Hexagon Big Bird	Res: 0.30 m	Film return.
cancelled	KH-10	Dorian		Manned Orbiting Laboratory; space station based on Gemini program.
1976–1995	KH-11	Crystal Kennan	Res: 0.15 m Mirror: 2.3 m	First known digital imaging spy satellite. Thought possibly to be similar in size and overall layout to the Hubble Space Telescope.
1990?–present?	KH-12	Ikon Improved Crystal	Res: 0.15 to 0.10? m Mirror: 2.4 to 4? m	Digital imaging; probably incorporates low light level visible and 3 to 5 micrometre infrared imaging capabilities; possible "live" intelligence gathering.
1999?–present?	KH-13	8X? EIS?	Res: 0.10? to 0.04? m Mirror: 4? m	Very little known; possibly includes radar imaging or maybe stealth technology.