POPPY is the code name given to a series of U.S. intelligence satellites operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. The POPPY satellites recorded ELINT data, targeting radar installations in the Soviet Union and Soviet naval ships at sea.[1]
The POPPY program was a continuation within NRO's Program C of the Naval Research Laboratory's Galactic Radiation and Background (GRAB) ELINT program, also known as Tattletale. The National Security Agency was given the responsibility of collecting, interpreting, and reporting the signals intercepted.
The existence of the POPPY program was declassified by the NRO in September 2005, although most of the details about its capabilities and operation are still classified. The NRO revealed, though, that the POPPY satellites, like other US SIGINT systems, used the principle of signals time difference of arrival, which enables precise locating of an object.[1] All POPPY launches orbited multiple satellites. The first POPPY launch included two satellites, launch #2 and #3 three satellites each, and subsequent launches orbited four satellites each.[2] The full configuration thus employed four vehicles in low Earth orbit.[3]
There were seven launches of POPPY satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base from 1962 until 1971, all of which were successful. The program continued until August 1977.
Satellite blocks[]
The size and capabilities (in particular Radio frequency coverage) of the GRAB/POPPY satellites evolved over the course of the 19 year program. Block I POPPY satellites had a diameter of 20 inches (51 cm), identical to the diameter of the GRAB satellites. Two Block I satellites were launched with the first and third POPPY launch, and one with the second POPPY launch. Block II POPPY satellites had a diameter of 24 inches (61 cm) and an increased weight. Two Block II satellites were launched on the second POPPY launch, one each on the third and fifth POPPY launch, and four and the forth POPPY launch. Block III POPPY satellites had a diameter of 27 inches (69 cm) and again an increased weight. Three Block III satellites were launched on the fifth POPPY launch, and four each in the sixth and seventh POPPY launch.[2]
Ammonia Microthrusters were used for station keeping in order to maintain the orbital configuration of the POPPY constellation. Satellites used 2- or 3-axis gravity gradient stabilization.[2]
Launches[]
Name | Launch date | International Designators | Other names | Launch vehicle |
---|---|---|---|---|
Poppy 1 | 13 December 1962 | 1962-067A or 1962-BETA-TAU-1, 1962-067C or 1962-BETA-TAU-3 | NRL-PL 120, NRL PL 121 | Thor-Agena-D |
Poppy 2 | 15 June 1963 | 1963-021E | NRL PL 112 | Thor-Agena-D |
Poppy 3 | 11 January 1964 | 1964-001E | NRL PL 135 | TAT-Agena-D |
Poppy 4 | 9 March 1965 | 1965-016A | NRL PL 142 | Thor-Agena-D |
Poppy 5 | 31 May 1967 | 1967-053G, 1967-053H | NRL PL 151, NRL PL 153 | Thor-Agena-D |
Poppy 6 | 30 September 1969 | 1969-082D, 1969-082E, 1969-082F, 1969-082G (OPS 7613) | NRL PL 162, 163, 161, 164 | Thorad-Agena-D |
Poppy 7 | 14 December 1971 | 1971-110A, 1971-110C, 1971-110D, 1979-110E (OPS 7898) | NRL PL 171, 172, 173, 174 | Thorad-Agena-D |
See also[]
External links[]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Poppy (satellite). |
- Poppy program press release
- Poppy program Fact sheet
- Gunter's Space Page - information on Poppy 20in version, 24in version, multifaceted version
- Space.com news article
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "NRO review and redaction guide (2006 ed.)". National Reconnaissance Office. http://www.fas.org/irp/nro/declass.pdf.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "History of the Poppy Satellite System - June 2012 release". National Reconnaissance Office. 2012-06-06. http://www.nro.gov/foia/docs/History%20of%20Poppy.PDF. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
- ↑ John L. McLucas (1972-12-18). "Memorandum for Mr. Laird: Taking Stock of the National Reconnaissance Program". National Reconnaissance Office.
- MacDonald, Robert A. and Moreno, Sharon K. Raising the Periscope... Grab and Poppy, America's early ELINT Satellites. Pub. by NRO, 2005.
- NRO Historian, History of the Poppy satellite system (scribd.com)
- Jonathan's space report No. 554 (2005-09-24) notes on POPPY payloads
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