USA-2

USA-2

KH-9 HEXAGON during Integration
Mission type	Film-return
Operator	USAF
COSPAR ID	1984-065A
Mission duration	40-275 days
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin
Launch mass	11,400 Kg
Start of mission
Launch date	25 June 1984
Rocket	Titan 34D
Launch site	Vandenberg, SLC-4E
Contractor	Martin Marietta
End of mission
Deactivated	18 October 1984 [1]
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Sun-synchronous orbit
KH-9 Series ←  OPS-0721 (KH-9 18) KH-9 20  →

USA-2 (also known as KH-9 19) is an American reconnaissance satellite which was operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched in June 1984, it is the last successful KH-9 reconnaissance satellite launch. ^{[2] [3]}

Overview

KH-9 HEXAGON is a film-return type reconnaissance satellite which replaced the KH-8 Gambit 3 ^[4] and KH-11 KENNEN ^[5] the Successor of KH-9. ^{[6] [7] [8]} KH-9 feature four SRV return capsule and a vastly improve Camera compare to other film based KH Satellite. ^[9]

KH-9 19 also carried the SSF-D (Farrah-2 or USA-3) ELINT Satellite and also carried STP S85-1 (HVP-III) Payload. ^[10]

KH-9 20

Titan-III failed just after liftoff due SRB faliure destroying KH-9 20 spacecraft

KH-9 20 was the last KH-9 HEXAGON satellite to be launched. The satellite launched on 18 April 1986 but due to Titan 34D Solid rocket motor exploded at T+8 seconds due to booster segment joint failure it failed to reach orbit. KH-9 20 was also carrying Pearl Ruby Technology demonstration satellite with a host of other payloads like STP S86-1 (RADC 801), GPSPAC 3, RDBS/Lorri 2 and Onyx. ^{[11] [12]}

See also

• List of USA satellites

References

1. "Technical details for satellite USA 2". N2YO.com - Real Time Satellite Tracking and Predictions. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
2. "KH-9 Hexagon". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
3. "KH-9 19 (Hexagon 19) (USA-2) & Farrah 2 (USA-3) | Titan 34D | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
4. "KH-8 Gambit-3 (Block 3)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
5. "KH-11 / Kennen / Crystal". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
6. "KH-9 Hexagon". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
7. "KH-9". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
8. "KH-9 HEXAGON Reconnaissance Imaging Spacecraft". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
9. "HEXAGON KH-9 Reconnaissance Satellite". National Museum of the United States Air Force™. Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
10. "Farrah 1, 2 (P-11 4433, 4434)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
11. "KH-9 Hexagon". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
12. "KH-9 20 (Hexagon 20) & Pearl Ruby | Titan 34D | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.