# KH 7-08

> American reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q14771401](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14771401)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kh-7-08

## Summary
KH 7-08 is an American reconnaissance satellite launched in 1964 as part of the KH-7 Gambit series. Operated by the United States Air Force, it was designed for high-resolution orbital surveillance during the Cold War.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** May 19, 1964 (19:21:14 UTC)
- **Classification:** KH-7 Gambit (GAMBIT-1) series
- **Operator:** United States Air Force
- **Launch Vehicle:** Atlas LV-3 Agena-D (Serial 350D)
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 West
- **Mass:** 2,000 kilograms
- **Spacecraft Manufacturers:** General Electric (Orbital Control Vehicle and Satellite Recovery Vehicle)
- **Payload Manufacturer:** Kodak (Photographic Payload Section)
- **Mission Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 1964-024A; SCN 00799; Mission 4008; OPS 3592

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of KH 7-08?
A: KH 7-08 was a reconnaissance satellite used by the United States Air Force for orbital surveillance. It was part of the KH-7 Gambit program, which specialized in capturing high-resolution photography for intelligence purposes.

### Q: Who built the KH 7-08 satellite?
A: The satellite was a collaborative effort between General Electric and Kodak. General Electric manufactured the Orbital Control Vehicle and the Satellite Recovery Vehicle, while Kodak was responsible for the Photographic Payload Section.

### Q: How was KH 7-08 launched into space?
A: The satellite was launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 West on May 19, 1964. It was carried into orbit by an Atlas LV-3 Agena-D, a type of American expendable launch vehicle.

### Q: When did the KH 7-08 mission end?
A: While the launch occurred on May 19, 1964, the mission reached a significant milestone on May 22, 1964, when the space capsule performed its atmospheric entry for recovery.

## Why It Matters
KH 7-08 represents a critical era in the development of United States space-based intelligence capabilities. As part of the KH-7 Gambit (GAMBIT-1) series, it was among the early generations of satellites designed to provide high-resolution imagery essential for national security. The mission utilized sophisticated technology for the 1960s, including specialized recovery vehicles built by General Electric and advanced photographic systems from Kodak. By successfully deploying and recovering surveillance data, KH 7-08 helped establish the operational framework for orbital reconnaissance that would define American intelligence gathering throughout the Cold War.

## Notable For
- **High-Resolution Surveillance:** Part of the GAMBIT-1 program, the first generation of the KH-7 series dedicated to detailed orbital photography.
- **Specialized Recovery:** Utilized a dedicated Satellite Recovery Vehicle (SRV) manufactured by General Electric to return film to Earth.
- **Technical Collaboration:** Integrated a Kodak-built Photographic Payload Section with a General Electric Orbital Control Vehicle.
- **Launch Platform:** Successfully deployed using the Atlas LV-3 Agena-D expendable launch system.

## Body
### Mission Overview
KH 7-08, also known by the designations Mission 4008 and OPS 3592, was a reconnaissance satellite operated by the United States Air Force. It was the eighth member of the KH-7 Gambit series. The satellite had a total mass of 2,000 kilograms and was assigned the COSPAR ID 1964-024A and the Satellite Catalog Number 00799.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on May 19, 1964, at 19:21:14 UTC. The launch took place at Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 West in California. The mission utilized an Atlas LV-3 Agena-D rocket (specifically vehicle 350D) to reach its intended orbit.

### Technical Components
The construction of KH 7-08 involved multiple aerospace contractors:
- **General Electric:** Responsible for the manufacturing of the Orbital Control Vehicle (OCV) and the Satellite Recovery Vehicle (SRV).
- **Kodak:** Responsible for the Photographic Payload Section, which served as the primary intelligence-gathering instrument.

### Mission Conclusion
The mission's operational phase included the deployment and return of a space capsule. Following its surveillance activities, the space capsule portion of the satellite performed an atmospheric entry on May 22, 1964, three days after its initial launch.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kh-7.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1964-024A)
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1964-024A)