# KH 11-12

> U.S. reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111498637](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111498637)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kh-11-12

## Summary
KH 11-12 is a U.S. reconnaissance satellite of the KH-11 KENNEN family operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. It was launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East on 1996-12-20 aboard a Titan IV launch vehicle and is also known by multiple designators including USA-129 and NROL-2.

## Key Facts
- KH 11-12 is an instance of the KH-11 KENNEN family of American reconnaissance satellites.
- Operator: National Reconnaissance Office.
- Launch date and time: 1996-12-20 at 18:04:00 (UTC implied by source).
- Launch site: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East.
- Launch vehicle: Titan IV (qualifiers: K-13, 45J-5).
- Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin.
- Launch contractor: United Launch Alliance.
- COSPAR ID / NSSDC ID: 1996-072A.
- Spacecraft catalogue number (scn): 24680.
- Powered by: spacecraft solar array.
- Common aliases and designators: KH 12-3; Keyhole 11-12; NROL-2; KH11-12; Enhanced CRYSTAL 2106; NRO L-2; Keyhole 12-3; NRO Launch 2; KH-11 12; USA-129.
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "24680"].

## FAQs
### Q: What is KH 11-12?
A: KH 11-12 is a U.S. reconnaissance satellite of the KH-11 KENNEN family operated by the National Reconnaissance Office and manufactured by Lockheed Martin.

### Q: When and where was KH 11-12 launched?
A: KH 11-12 was launched on 1996-12-20 at 18:04:00 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East aboard a Titan IV launch vehicle.

### Q: Under what other names is KH 11-12 known?
A: KH 11-12 has multiple aliases and designators, including USA-129, NROL-2, KH11-12, Enhanced CRYSTAL 2106, and NRO L-2.

## Why It Matters
KH 11-12 is part of the KH-11 KENNEN family, a sequence of U.S. reconnaissance satellites that serve the National Reconnaissance Office. As a government-operated intelligence satellite launched and placed into service in late 1996, KH 11-12 contributes to the United States' space-based reconnaissance and situational awareness capabilities. Its deployment from Vandenberg using a Titan IV vehicle and its manufacture by Lockheed Martin position it within the industrial and launch infrastructure used for high-priority national security payloads. The satellite’s multiple official and programmatic identifiers (COSPAR 1996-072A, scn 24680, USA-129, NROL-2) reflect its integration into national space catalogues and intelligence programs. For researchers, analysts, and historians, KH 11-12 is a documented example of mid-1990s U.S. reconnaissance space assets and the associated launch, manufacturing, and operational arrangements.

## Notable For
- Being an operational member of the KH-11 KENNEN reconnaissance satellite family.
- Launch on 1996-12-20 from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East using a Titan IV (K-13 / 45J-5).
- Multiple programmatic and public designators, including USA-129 and NROL-2.
- Manufactured by Lockheed Martin and listed as powered by a spacecraft solar array.
- Cataloged with COSPAR/NSSDC ID 1996-072A and spacecraft catalogue number 24680.

## Body

### Identity and Classification
- Name: KH 11-12 (primary designation used here).
- Instance of: KH-11 KENNEN (family of American reconnaissance satellites).
- Wikidata description: U.S. reconnaissance satellite.
- Aliases: KH 12-3; Keyhole 11-12; NROL-2; KH11-12; Enhanced CRYSTAL 2106; NRO L-2; Keyhole 12-3; NRO Launch 2; KH-11 12; USA-129.
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "24680"].

### Identifiers and Catalog Data
- SCN (spacecraft catalogue number): 24680.
- COSPAR ID / NSSDC ID: 1996-072A.
- These identifiers are used in satellite and space object catalogues to reference KH 11-12.

### Operator, Manufacturer, and Power
- Operator: National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
- Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin.
- Power source: spacecraft solar array.

### Launch Details
- Launch date and time: 1996-12-20, 18:04:00.
- Launch site: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East.
- Launch vehicle: Titan IV, with launch qualifiers K-13 and 45J-5.
- Launch contractor: United Launch Alliance.
- Significant event recorded: rocket launch at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East on 1996-12-20.

### Program Context
- KH 11-12 belongs to the KH-11 KENNEN family, a series of American reconnaissance satellites.
- It carries multiple program and mission designators used by different agencies and catalogues (e.g., NROL-2, USA-129).

### Public Record and Reference Data
- Source description: U.S. reconnaissance satellite.
- Cataloged and referenced in space object registries under the identifiers given above.
- Structured metadata available: scn 24680 and Wolfram entity code Entity["Satellite", "24680"].

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report