# KH 11-03

> former U.S. reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q118959565](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q118959565)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kh-11-03

## Summary
KH 11-03 (also known as OPS 2581) was a former United States reconnaissance satellite launched on February 7, 1980. Manufactured by the Lockheed Corporation for the National Reconnaissance Office, it belonged to the KH-11 KENNEN family of satellites. The spacecraft operated in orbit for over two years before decaying and re-entering the atmosphere on October 30, 1982.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** KH 11-03 was a member of the **KH-11 KENNEN** class of American reconnaissance satellites.
*   **Launch Date:** Launched on **February 7, 1980**, at 21:10.
*   **Launch Site:** Lifted off from **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East** in the United States.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Deployed using a **Titan IIID** rocket (specifically model 23D-19).
*   **Operator:** Operated by the **National Reconnaissance Office** (NRO).
*   **Manufacturer:** Built by the **Lockheed Corporation**.
*   **Decay Date:** The satellite underwent atmospheric entry on **October 30, 1982**.
*   **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID **1980-010A**; NSSDCA ID **1980-010A**; Satellite Catalog Number **11687**.
*   **Power Source:** Powered by a spacecraft solar array.

## FAQs
### Q: What aliases was KH 11-03 known by?
A: The satellite was also identified by the names Keyhole 11-3, KH 11-3, KH-11 3, KH11-3, Kennen 3, Crystal 3, and its military designation OPS 2581.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch KH 11-03?
A: KH 11-03 was launched aboard a Titan IIID rocket, a model of the Titan III launch vehicle family, specifically serial number 23D-19.

### Q: How long did KH 11-03 remain in orbit?
A: The satellite was launched on February 7, 1980, and re-entered the atmosphere on October 30, 1982, remaining in orbit for approximately two years and eight months.

### Q: Who manufactured and operated this satellite?
A: The KH 11-03 was manufactured by the Lockheed Corporation and operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

## Why It Matters
KH 11-03 represents a specific instance of early space-based intelligence gathering infrastructure utilized by the United States during the Cold War. As part of the KH-11 KENNEN family, it marked a continuation of the shift toward advanced optical reconnaissance capabilities managed by the National Reconnaissance Office. The mission demonstrated the operational reliance on the Titan IIID launch vehicle for heavy payload delivery from Vandenberg Air Force Base, a critical capability for deploying sensitive assets into polar orbits.

The satellite's relatively short operational lifespan—ending in atmospheric decay in late 1982—highlights the mission profiles and orbital mechanics of early reconnaissance platforms. By utilizing solar arrays for power and being built by a major defense contractor like Lockheed, the satellite exemplifies the integration of aerospace technology and national security objectives of the era. Its successful deployment and subsequent decay provide researchers with specific data points regarding the launch cadence and orbital longevity of the third unit in the KH-11 series.

## Notable For
*   **Third KH-11 Satellite:** Identified as the third unit ("Block 0" or early variant) within the KH-11 KENNEN program.
*   **Specific Designation:** Carried the specific military designation **OPS 2581**.
*   **Launch Vehicle Configuration:** Utilized the Titan IIID (23D-19), a specific configuration of the Titan rocket family used exclusively for defense payloads.
*   **Atmospheric Decay:** Unlike some satellites that are deorbited intentionally or moved to graveyard orbits, this entity's mission concluded via natural atmospheric entry.

## Body
### Identity and Designation
KH 11-03 was an American reconnaissance satellite and a distinct entity within the KH-11 KENNEN class. It carried the Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Satellite", "11687"]`. In various databases and records, it is interchangeably referred to as Keyhole 11-3, Kennen 3, Crystal 3, and OPS 2581.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on **February 7, 1980**, at precisely **21:10** UTC. The launch took place at **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East**, a primary site for polar orbital launches. The delivery system was a **Titan IIID** rocket, identified by the serial number **23D-19**. This launch vehicle was a critical component of the U.S. space program's heavy-lift capabilities at the time.

### Technical Specifications and Ownership
The spacecraft was constructed by the **Lockheed Corporation** and operated under the authority of the **National Reconnaissance Office**. It was equipped with a **spacecraft solar array** to generate necessary electrical power during its mission.

### Mission Conclusion
Following its deployment and operation, the orbit of KH 11-03 decayed. The object re-entered Earth's atmosphere on **October 30, 1982**, an event classified as atmospheric entry or orbital decay. The satellite's operational period lasted from its launch in early 1980 until this decay event in late 1982.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kh-11.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. Space-Track