# KH 11-13

> U.S. reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q118959572](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q118959572)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kh-11-13

## Summary
KH 11-13 is a United States reconnaissance satellite operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Launched on October 5, 2001, it is a member of the KH-11 KENNEN family of intelligence-gathering spacecraft. The satellite was manufactured by Lockheed Martin and is also known by the designations USA-161 and NROL-14.

## Key Facts
- **Operator:** National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
- **Manufacturer:** Lockheed Martin
- **Launch Date:** October 5, 2001 (21:21:01)
- **Launch Vehicle:** Titan IV (specifically variant 4B-34)
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East
- **Classification:** KH-11 KENNEN (also referred to as Enhanced CRYSTAL)
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 26934
- **COSPAR/NSSDCA ID:** 2001-044A
- **Power Source:** Spacecraft solar array
- **Primary Aliases:** USA-161, NROL-14, Crystal 13, Keyhole 12-4, and Enhanced CRYSTAL 2107

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of KH 11-13?
A: KH 11-13 is a reconnaissance satellite designed for intelligence gathering. It is part of the KH-11 KENNEN family, which is a series of American satellites used for high-resolution overhead surveillance.

### Q: Who built and launched KH 11-13?
A: The satellite was manufactured by Lockheed Martin and is operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). It was launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East using a Titan IV rocket.

### Q: What are the different names used for this satellite?
A: KH 11-13 is known by several designations, including USA-161, NROL-14, and Crystal 13. It is also referred to as Keyhole 12-4 or Enhanced CRYSTAL 2107.

## Why It Matters
KH 11-13 represents a significant asset in the United States' space-based reconnaissance architecture. As an instance of the KH-11 KENNEN family, it belongs to a lineage of satellites that have provided critical intelligence data for decades. The use of the Titan IV launch vehicle—a heavy-lift rocket used by the U.S. Air Force—indicates the substantial size and complexity of the spacecraft. 

The satellite's operation by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) places it at the center of national security efforts, providing persistent surveillance capabilities. By utilizing a spacecraft solar array for power, KH 11-13 is designed for long-term orbital endurance. Its various aliases, such as USA-161 and NROL-14, reflect the classified nature of its mission and its integration into the broader framework of American military and intelligence operations.

## Notable For
- **Heavy-Lift Launch:** It was deployed using the Titan IV 4B-34, one of the most powerful rockets in the U.S. inventory at the time of launch.
- **Enhanced CRYSTAL Series:** It is identified as "Enhanced CRYSTAL 2107," representing an advanced iteration of the KH-11 reconnaissance family.
- **NRO Mission:** It was a primary payload for the NRO Launch 14 (NROL-14) mission.
- **Solar Powered:** The craft utilizes a dedicated spacecraft solar array to maintain its systems in orbit.

## Body

### Classification and Family
KH 11-13 is an instance of the **KH-11 KENNEN** family of American reconnaissance satellites. Within various tracking systems and academic records, it is associated with the **Enhanced CRYSTAL** series. It is also documented under the project names **Crystal 13** and **Keyhole 12-4**.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **October 5, 2001**, at exactly **21:21:01**. The launch took place at **Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East** in California. The mission utilized a **Titan IV** rocket (variant 4B-34), a family of launch vehicles specifically used by the U.S. Air Force for heavy payloads.

### Technical Specifications and Tracking
*   **Manufacturer:** The satellite was constructed by **Lockheed Martin**.
*   **Operator:** It is under the jurisdiction of the **National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)**.
*   **Power:** The system is powered by a **spacecraft solar array**.
*   **Identification:** 
    *   **SCN:** 26934
    *   **COSPAR ID:** 2001-044A
    *   **NSSDCA ID:** 2001-044A
    *   **Wolfram Language Code:** Entity["Satellite", "26934"]

### Alternative Designations
Due to the classified nature of U.S. reconnaissance missions, KH 11-13 is identified by multiple names across different agencies and catalogs:
*   **USA-161:** The standard designation for U.S. military satellites.
*   **NROL-14:** The mission designation for the National Reconnaissance Office.
*   **NRO Launch 14:** An alternative form of the mission name.
*   **KH11-13 / KH-11 13:** Direct references to its position in the KH-11 series.
*   **Enhanced CRYSTAL 2107:** A specific technical designation for this unit.

## References

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