The KH-11 KENNEN [1] [2] [3] [4] (later renamed CRYSTAL, [5] then Evolved Enhanced CRYSTAL System, and codenamed 1010 [6]: 82 and Key Hole [6]: 82 ) is a type of reconnaissance satellite first launched by the American National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in December 1976.

2023年1月14日 · The KH-11 (Keyhole-11) series of reconnaissance satellites, also known by their Byeman code names Kennen (the often reported "Kennan" is a misspelling) and Crystal (since 1982), are the first American spy satellites to utilize electro-optical digital imaging, and provide a real-time optical observation capability.

2019年9月6日 · As with the secretive X-37B spaceplane program —and most other military programs for that matter—very little is known about the KH-11 series of reconnaissance satellites. There have been 17...

2022年10月9日 · The KH-11 KENNEN (later renamed CRYSTAL, then Evolved Enhanced CRYSTAL System, and codenamed 1010 and Key Hole) is a type of reconnaissance satellite first launched by the American National Reconnaissance Office in December 1976.

2007年4月24日 · The (Keyhole) KH-11, KENNAN class imaging reconnaissance spacecraft was launched nine times with one launch loss on the Titan-3D and Titan-34D boosters.

First electro-optical digital transmission imaging reconnaissance satellite. Ground resolution 0.15 m with a 2.3 m diameter mirror. Believed to be similar to Hubble Space Telescope (they used same shipping container and specially-modified aircraft). Data transmitted via SDS military relay satellites. More at: KH-11.

The KH-11 KENNEN, also known as the Key Hole series, is a highly classified reconnaissance satellite developed and operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Launched in the late 1970s, the KH-11 revolutionized intelligence gathering by providing high-resolution optical imagery of strategic locations worldwide.

Rather than a clear desire for warning intelligence, the development of the KH-11 KENNEN satellite appears to be an example of technology driving the decision-making. KENNEN’s electro-optical imaging technology was clearly superior to film-readout, and senior intelligence officials were willing to wait until it was mature enough to deploy ...

The KH-11 series of reconnaissance satellites, also known by their Byeman code names Kennen (the often reported "Kennan" is likely a misspelling) and Crystal (since 1982), are the first American spy satellites to utilize electro-optical digital imaging, and provide a real-time optical observation capability.

Manufactured by Lockheed in Sunnyvale, California, the KH-11 was the first American spy satellite to use electro-optical digital imaging, and create a real-time optical observation capability. Later KH-11 satellites have been referred to by outside observers as KH-11B or KH-12, and by the names "Advanced KENNAN", "Improved Crystal" and "Ikon".