USA-186

USA-186

Launch of USA-186
Mission type	Optical imaging
Operator	NRO
COSPAR ID	2005-042A
SATCAT no.	28888 [1]
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type	KH-11
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin
Start of mission
Launch date	19 October 2005 18:05 UTC
Rocket	Titan IV (404)B (B-26)
Launch site	Vandenberg, SLC-4E
Contractor	Lockheed Martin
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Sun-synchronous orbit
KH-11 Series ←  USA-161 (KH-11 13) USA-224 (KH-11 15) →

USA-186 (also known as KH-11 14 and NROL-20) is an American reconnaissance satellite which is operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched in October 2005, it is the first KH-11 Block 4 reconnaissance satellite. ^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}

Overview

The satellite launched on the Last Titan IV launch and is last Titan rocket launch and ending its many decades of service to US National Security missions, future KH-11 mission will be launch on the Delta IV Heavy rocket. ^[7]

KH-11 KENNEN also called Crystal is a Electro-optical reconnaissance satellite which replaced the film-return satellites like KH-9 HEXAGON. ^{[8] [9] [10] [11]}

See also

• Spaceflight portal

• List of USA satellites
• List of NRO Launches

References

1. "USA 186 – Orbit Data". heavens-above.com. 4 March 2019.
2. "KH-11 / Kennen / Crystal". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
3. "KH-11 14 (Crystal 14) (USA-186) (NROL-20) | Titan IV(404)B | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
4. Cain, Fraser (20 October 2005). "Final Titan 4 Launches". Universe Today. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
5. "The Last Titan - NASA" . Retrieved 18 October 2025.
6. "Lockheed Martin's Last Titan IV Successfully Delivers National Security Payload to Space". Media - Lockheed Martin. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
7. "KH-11 14 (Crystal 14) (USA-186) (NROL-20) | Titan IV(404)B | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
8. "KH-11 / Kennen / Crystal". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
9. "Top Secret KH-11 Spysat Design Revealed By NRO's Twin Telescope Gift to NASA - AmericaSpace". www.americaspace.com. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
10. "KH-11". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
11. "KH-9 Hexagon". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 19 October 2025.