KH 11-12

U.S. reconnaissance satellite. KH 11-12 was launched on December 20, 1996 aboard a Titan 404A from Vandenberg. Latest status in GCAT: deorbited (May 1, 2014).

COSPAR 1996-072ANORAD 24680United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: USA 129
Common name: KH 11-12
Payload designation: Enhanced CRYSTAL 2106
Other names: NRO Mission 2106?
International designator: 1996-072A
NORAD catalog number: 24680
GCAT identifier: S24680
UN registration: ST/SG/SER.E/322

Mission

Mission type: Optical imaging
Use: Defense
Program: CRYSTAL 3
Owner: NRO
Country: United States
Builder: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space, Sunnyvale
Platform (bus): IC

Launch

Date: December 20, 1996 · 18:04 UTC
Launch record: 1996-072Success
Rocket: Titan 404A
Spaceport: Vandenberg · pad SLC4E

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): LEO/S
Perigee: 264 km
Apogee: 1,040 km
Inclination: 97.87°
Status: Deorbited
Status date: May 1, 2014
Last known active: Apr 29, 2014
End of operations: May 1, 2014

Size

Mass: 13.5 t
Dry mass: 10.0 t
Length: 19.0 m
Diameter: 3.10 m
Span: 30.0 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q111498637 (CC0).