Enhanced Imaging System (EIS), officially referred to as "Enhanced Imagery System",[1][2] previously known as 8X, and sometimes unofficially known as Misty 2 and KH-13,[3] is an American reconnaissance satellite programme. A derivative of the Improved Crystal satellites,[4] EIS replaced Misty, and was intended to provide more coverage and dwell time than previous reconnaissance satellites;[5] like Misty, it has stealth capabilities.[6] Only one EIS satellite has been launched; USA-144, which was placed into orbit by a Titan IVB rocket on 22 May 1999.[7][8]
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 as much as 20 short ton, 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.[9][10] By 1998, the program had been renamed Enhanced Imaging System.[5] The Future Imagery Architecture program, which was intended to replace the Lacrosse and Improved Crystal satellites, was developed alongside EIS.[5]
See also[]
- Corona series: KH-1, KH-2, KH-3, KH-4
- KH-5 ARGON, KH-6 LANYARD
- KH-7 and KH-8 GAMBIT
- KH-9 HEXAGON "Big Bird"
- Manned Orbital Laboratory (MOL) or KH-10
- KH-11
References[]
- ↑ "INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000: National Imagery and Mapping Agency (House Report 106-130)". U.S. Government Printing Office. 7 May 1999. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CRPT-106hrpt130/html/CRPT-106hrpt130-pt1.htm.
- ↑ "National Intelligence Program FY 2010 Congressional Budget Justification: Volume IV". National Reconnaissance Program. May 2009. p. 21. http://www.fas.org/irp/nro/fy2010cbjb.pdf.
- ↑ David Darling and David J. Darling (2003). The complete book of spaceflight. John Wiley and Sons. ISBN 0-471-05649-9. http://books.google.com/?id=dt7ow1Af86YC&pg=PA221&dq=%22KH-13%22+satellite&q=%22KH-13%22%20satellite. "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 ..."
- ↑ Tae-Woo Lee (2008). Military Technologies of the World. ISBN 978-0-275-99537-9. http://books.google.com/?id=-nrZqzQs3jMC&pg=PA146&dq=%22KH-13%22+satellite&q=%22KH-13%22%20satellite. "The advancement in the KH-series resulted in the KH-13, for which little information is yet available. ..."
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Thomson, Allen (8 May 1998). "8X lives on as the Enhanced Imaging System". Federation of American Scientists. http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/imint/eist-iv.htm. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
- ↑ Thompson, Allen. "A Stealth Satellite Sourcebook". Federation of American Scientists. http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/track/stealth.pdf. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
- ↑ Wade, Mark. "Improved Crystal". Encyclopedia Astronautica. http://www.astronautix.com/craft/impystal.htm. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
- ↑ Wade, Mark. "Misty". Encyclopedia Astronautica. http://www.astronautix.com/craft/misty.htm. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
- ↑ Risen, James; Vartabedian, Ralph (1995-09-28). "U.S. Launches Costly Overhaul of Spy Satellites". 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.
- ↑ Allen Thomson (1995-10-07). "8X: The monster that ate the budget". http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/imint/at_951007.htm.
Further reading[]
- John Pike (July 24, 1998). 8X Enhanced Imaging System. Federation of American Scientists. Accessed May 3, 2004 (October 17, 2001).
- US space-based reconnaissance reinforced. Jane's Defence Weekly. Accessed May 3, 2004.
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The original article can be found at Enhanced Imaging System and the edit history here.