USA-338

USA-338

Launch of USA-338
Mission type	Optical imaging
Operator	NRO
COSPAR ID	2022-117A
SATCAT no.	53883
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type	KH-11
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin
Start of mission
Launch date	24 September 2022 22:25 UTC
Rocket	Delta IV Heavy (D-387)
Launch site	Vandenberg, SLC-6
Contractor	United Launch Alliance
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Sun-synchronous orbit
KH-11 Series ←  USA-314 (KH-11 18)

USA-338 (also known as KH-11 19 and NROL-91) is an American reconnaissance satellite which is operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched in September 2022, it is the KH-11 Block 5 reconnaissance satellite. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]}

Overview

The satellite launched on the Last Delta IV Heavy launch and last Delta rocket launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. ^{[6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]}

KH-11 KENNEN also known as Crystal is a Electro-optical reconnaissance satellite which replaced the film-return satellites like KH-9 HEXAGON. ^[13] It was early though that KH-11 Block 5 satellite could be Next Generation Misty satellite. ^{[14] [15] [16] [17]}

Gallery

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See also

• List of USA satellites
• List of NRO Launches
• National Security Space Launch

References

1. "KH-11 / Kennen / Crystal". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
2. "KH-11 19 (Crystal 19) (USA-338) (NROL-91) | Delta IV Heavy | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
3. "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches National Security Mission with Nation's Proven Heavy Lift Vehicle". www.ulalaunch.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
4. "Delta IV Heavy NROL-91". www.ulalaunch.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
5. "KH-11 19 (Crystal 19) (USA-338) (NROL-91) | Delta IV Heavy | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
6. "> Launches > launch-nrol-91". www.nro.gov. Archived from the original on 24 June 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
7. Erwin, Sandra (24 September 2022). "NRO satellite flies to orbit in Delta 4's final West Coast launch". SpaceNews. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
8. Graham, William (24 September 2022). "Last West Coast Delta IV Heavy launches with NROL-91". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
9. Mike Wall (24 September 2022). "Powerful Delta IV Heavy rocket launches US spy satellite on final flight from California". Space. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
10. "Live coverage: Delta 4-Heavy rocket launches from California – Spaceflight Now" . Retrieved 16 October 2025.
11. Sesnic, Trevor (20 September 2022). "NROL-91 | Delta IV Heavy". Everyday Astronaut. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
12. Erwin, Sandra (24 September 2022). "NRO satellite flies to orbit in Delta 4's final West Coast launch". SpaceNews. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
13. "KH-9 Hexagon". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
14. "KH-11 / Kennen / Crystal". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
15. "Misty 1, 2, 3 (AFP-731)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
16. "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.
17. "KH-11". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 17 October 2025.