# KH 11-09

> former U.S. reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111500622](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111500622)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kh-11-09

## Summary
KH 11-09 is a former United States reconnaissance satellite launched in 1988 as part of the KH-11 KENNEN family of intelligence-gathering spacecraft. Operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), it served in a sun-synchronous orbit for over seven years before undergoing atmospheric entry in 1996.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** KH-11 KENNEN reconnaissance satellite
- **Launch Date:** November 6, 1988 (18:03)
- **Launch Vehicle:** Titan 34D (specifically 34D-14 or 04D-7)
- **Manufacturer:** Lockheed Corporation
- **Operator:** National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
- **Orbit Type:** Sun-synchronous orbit
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 19625
- **Deorbit Date:** May 12, 1996 (atmospheric entry)
- **Power Source:** Spacecraft solar array
- **Aliases:** USA-33, Crystal 9, Keyhole 11-9, and Enhanced CRYSTAL 2103

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of KH 11-09?
A: KH 11-09 was a reconnaissance satellite used by the United States for intelligence gathering. It was part of the KH-11 KENNEN class, a family of American reconnaissance satellites operated by the National Reconnaissance Office.

### Q: When and how was KH 11-09 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on November 6, 1988, at 18:03 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East. It was carried into orbit by a Titan 34D expendable rocket.

### Q: Is KH 11-09 still operational?
A: No, the satellite is no longer in service. It completed its mission and underwent atmospheric entry and orbital decay on May 12, 1996.

### Q: Who manufactured and operated the KH 11-09?
A: The satellite was manufactured by the Lockheed Corporation. It was sponsored and operated throughout its mission by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

## Why It Matters
KH 11-09 represents a significant component of the United States' orbital surveillance capabilities during the late 1980s and early 1990s. As an "Enhanced CRYSTAL" or KH-11 KENNEN class satellite, it was part of a sophisticated lineage of reconnaissance platforms designed to provide high-resolution intelligence from space. Its placement in a sun-synchronous orbit was critical for its mission, as this specific orbit allows a satellite to pass over any given point of the Earth's surface at the same local solar time, ensuring consistent lighting conditions for imaging and observation.

The satellite's operational lifespan spanned nearly eight years, providing the National Reconnaissance Office with a sustained period of data collection during a transformative era in global security. Its successful deployment via the Titan 34D rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East underscores the technical coordination required between the Lockheed Corporation, the NRO, and launch contractors to maintain American presence in strategic orbital paths.

## Notable For
- **Class Lineage:** It is a member of the KH-11 KENNEN family, a prominent series of American reconnaissance satellites.
- **Extended Mission:** The satellite remained in orbit for approximately seven and a half years before its scheduled decay in 1996.
- **Multiple Designations:** It is recognized by several official and program-specific aliases, including USA-33, Crystal 9, and Keyhole 11-9.
- **Technical Specifications:** It utilized a dedicated spacecraft solar array for power and was launched using the heavy-lift Titan 34D expendable rocket.

## Body
### Technical Profile and Manufacture
KH 11-09 was manufactured by the Lockheed Corporation for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The spacecraft was powered by a solar array and was assigned the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 19625 and the COSPAR ID 1988-099A. Within the Keyhole program nomenclature, it was also referred to as Crystal 9 and Enhanced CRYSTAL 2103.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on November 6, 1988, from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East in California. The launch occurred at 18:03 UTC. The mission utilized a Titan 34D expendable rocket (specifically configurations 34D-14 or 04D-7). While the NRO acted as the sponsor and operator, the launch contractor for the mission is identified as United Launch Alliance.

### Orbital Operations
KH 11-09 operated in a sun-synchronous orbit, a common requirement for reconnaissance satellites to maintain consistent lighting for optical sensors. During its operational life, it was designated as USA-33. 

### Mission Conclusion
The satellite's mission ended in the mid-1990s. Two significant events define its lifecycle:
- **Rocket Launch:** November 6, 1988.
- **Atmospheric Entry:** May 12, 1996.

The time of object orbit decay is officially recorded as May 12, 1996, marking the point at which the satellite re-entered the Earth's atmosphere.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=19625)