KH-13
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The KH-13 is a potential successor to the KH-12 reconnaissance satellite. Only extremely limited information is available. It may or may not be the same project as 8X, later rechristened as EIS (Enhanced Imaging System). It is believed that a satellite launched as part of one of these programs was put into orbit in 1999 and others may have been launched afterward. What is described by some as the KH-13 may just be a variant of the KH-12. It is even possible that a distinct KH-12 does not exist, and the KH-13 is merely a late-model KH-11, a platform in use since 1976.
Many people believe that the KH-13 is an enhanced version of the KH-12 that incorporates stealth technology. If it exists, it probably has a shape similar to that of the Hubble Space Telescope—a shape its predecessors are believed to have as well. Another possibility is that the satellite extends the observable range of the electromagnetic spectrum into frequencies used by radar, possibly including capabilities of the rumored Lacrosse satellite. This builds upon the optical and infrared capabilities of predecessors.
Some believe that the 8X/EIS project is different from the KH-13. One considerable difference cited is the possibility of a very large fuel tank for making significant course corrections in orbit. Some have suggested that highly eccentric Molniya orbits would be used, giving the satellite a long "dwell time" to observe areas. However, the greater distance from the Earth's surface that this requires would necessitate an improvement in optical systems. The 8X is said to be refuelable by the Space Shuttle, but it would be extremely difficult for the shuttle to match a Molniya orbit.
The 8X program was mentioned in the press at least as far back as 1995. Cost overruns were a consideration even then.
Some of the information contained on this page may have originated in the rules for "Global Thunder", an online wargame (the Center for Defense Information link below lists Battlefront.com as one of several references). Some wargames include fictional devices or add abilities to existing devices that they don't really have.
The KH-13 is also the subject of Bruce Sterling's science fiction book The Zenith Angle, released in April 2004. It is unknown if any of the abilities described in the book are equal to or beyond what the real KH-13/8X/EIS devices are capable of (if they exist at all).
References
- John Pike (July 24, 1998). 8X Enhanced Imaging System (http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/imint/8x.htm). Federation of American Scientists. Accessed May 3, 2004.
- Military Reconnaissance Satellites (http://www.cdi.org/terrorism/satellites.cfm). Center for Defense Information. Accessed May 3, 2004.
- Gunter Dirk Krebs (June 25, 2003). KH-13 (http://www.skyrocket.de/space/doc_sdat/misty-1.htm). Gunter's Space Page. Accessed May 3, 2004.
- Global Thunder (http://www.battlefront.com/resources/tacops/MBX/Globalthunder/). Battlefront.com. Accessed May 3, 2004.
- (October 17, 2001). US space-based reconnaissance reinforced (http://www.janes.com/aerospace/military/news/jsd/jsd011017_1_n.shtml). Jane's. Accessed May 3, 2004.