# KH 7-33

> American reconnaissance satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q101353000](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101353000)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kh-7-33

## Summary
KH 7-33 was an American reconnaissance satellite launched on October 12, 1966, as part of the United States Air Force's KH-7 Gambit program. Manufactured by General Electric and Kodak, the 2000-kilogram spacecraft was deployed via an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East. The mission, designated 1966-090A, concluded with the space capsule's atmospheric entry on October 20, 1966.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** KH 7-33 is an instance of the KH-7 Gambit class of U.S. reconnaissance satellites.
- **Launch Date:** October 12, 1966, at 19:15.
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D (serial number 7122).
- **Mass:** 2000 kilograms.
- **Operator:** United States Air Force.
- **Manufacturers:** General Electric (Orbital Control Vehicle/Satellite Recovery Vehicle) and Kodak (Photographic Payload Section).
- **Mission Designations:** Also known as GAMBIT-1 33, Mission 4033, OPS 2055, and COSPAR ID 1966-090A.
- **Mission Duration:** The satellite's space capsule returned via atmospheric entry on October 20, 1966, eight days after launch.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** 02489.

## FAQs
### Q: What was KH 7-33?
A: KH 7-33 was an American reconnaissance satellite launched on October 12, 1966. It was the 33rd satellite in the GAMBIT-1 (KH-7) series operated by the United States Air Force.

### Q: Who built and launched KH 7-33?
A: The spacecraft was manufactured by General Electric, with a photographic payload provided by Kodak. It was launched by the United States Air Force using an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D rocket.

### Q: How long did the KH 7-33 mission last?
A: The mission launched on October 12, 1966, and concluded with the atmospheric entry of its space capsule on October 20, 1966.

## Why It Matters
KH 7-33 serves as a specific case study within the broader KH-7 Gambit program, a key element of United States space reconnaissance strategy during the mid-1960s. Weighing 2000 kilograms, it exemplifies the technological capabilities of the era, particularly the integration of General Electric's orbital control systems with Kodak's advanced photographic payload sections. The mission highlights the operational tempo of the Cold War, utilizing the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D launch system to place critical intelligence assets into orbit. Its successful deployment and the recovery of its capsule slightly over a week later underscore the precision of the United States Air Force's space command and control capabilities during this period.

## Notable For
- Being identified as Mission 4033 within the classified GAMBIT-1 program.
- Utilizing the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D (serial 7122) as its launch vehicle.
- Involving a manufacturing partnership between General Electric (spacecraft bus) and Kodak (payload).
- Operating under multiple designators, including OPS 2055 and AFP-206 SV 983.
- Executing a space capsule recovery via atmospheric entry on October 20, 1966.

## Body

### Mission Identity and Specifications
KH 7-33, identified by the COSPAR ID 1966-090A and Satellite Catalog Number 02489, was a reconnaissance satellite operated by the United States Air Force. It belonged to the KH-7 Gambit class of satellites. The spacecraft had a total mass of 2000 kilograms.

### Manufacturing and Payload
The construction of KH 7-33 involved a division of labor between two major American contractors:
*   **General Electric:** Responsible for the Orbital Control Vehicle and the Satellite Recovery Vehicle.
*   **Kodak:** Responsible for the Photographic Payload Section.

### Launch Operations
The satellite was launched on October 12, 1966, at 19:15. The launch site was Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East. The delivery system used was the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D, an American expendable launch system with the serial number 7122.

### Mission Conclusion
The operational phase of the spacecraft's journey involved a significant event on October 20, 1966, when the space capsule underwent atmospheric entry. This event marked the recovery phase of the reconnaissance mission.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kh-7.htm)
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1966-090A)
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-090A)