Deak said: >As complementary info, I've read this in Aviation Week & Space Technology in the August 7 issue, p.66 about last May launch : "The NRO also is moving toward operation of its new Enhanced Imaging System satellite, the first of which could have been launched last May from Vandenberg. (Deak's note : May 1999, 1999-028A, #25744, USA 144) The EIS is designed for broader area coverage, longer dwell time over target and more rapid transmission. The EIS is an upgraded version of the high-resolution advanced version of the Lockheed-Martin KH-11 type optical/infrared series used by the NRO for many years. There are two primary advanced KH-11 types now in orbit, >possibly still supported by a third older satellite." Indeed. I find USA 144 an interesting object. Given its different capabilities and that its in a higher orbit...is it just a "technology demonstrator" or is it the way that recon birds are going...according to the FAS site it also has a SAR capability..so what does ONYX/LACROSSE do that X8/USA 144 radar can't??? Presumably higher resolution?? Do the ONYX/LACROSSE birds ever manoeuvre? Does USA 144??? pj Sheffield UK 53.4x N 1.46W ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www2.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Aug 16 2000 - 14:08:10 PDT