Vortex (satellite)
{{Short description|Class of spy satellite operated by the United States}}
{{infobox spacecraft class
| image = SIGINT Vortex.jpg
| image_caption = Vortex satellite footprints
| country = {{flagicon|United States}} United States
| operator = National Reconnaissance Office
United States Air Force
| applications = Espionage
| launch_mass = {{convert|1800|kg|lbs}}
| orbits = Non-stationary geosynchronous orbit
| built = 6
| launched = 6
| failed = 0
| maidenlaunch = 10 June 1978, 19:08 UTC
| lastlaunch = 10 May 1989, 19:47:01 UTC
| Preceded = Canyon
| Succeeded = Mercury
}}Vortex, previously known as Chalet, was a class of spy satellite operated by the United States during the 1980s and 1990s to collect signals intelligence (SIGINT) from high Earth orbit. The Vortex satellites were operated by the National Reconnaissance Office for the United States Air Force and listened to radio transmissions originating from Earth or space. The intercepted data is believed to have been fed into and analyzed by the National Security Agency ECHELON system.
The satellites each had a mass of approximately 1,800 kilograms and are operated from non-stationary geosynchronous orbits. Each reportedly carried a 38-meter-diameter umbrella-like reflecting dish to collect radio signals from Earth. At least six launch attempts were made of Chalet/Vortex satellites between 1978 and 1989. The Chalet/Vortex satellites replaced the older generation of Canyon satellites, and were superseded by the larger, more capable Mercury satellites.
Launches
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" | ||||||
| Name
! Launch date ! Launch vehicle ! Launch site ! Orbit ! Remarks | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | OPS 9454 | [https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1978-058A 1978-058A] 10941 | 10 June 1978 19:08 | Titan III(23)C | CCAFS LC-40 | ||
| | OPS 1948 | [https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1979-086A 1979-086A] 11558 | 1 October 1979 11:22:00 | Titan III(23)C | CCAFS LC-40 | ||
| | OPS 4029 | [https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1981-107A 1981-107A] 12930 | 31 October 1981 09:22:00 | Titan III(23)C | CCAFS LC-40 | ||
| | OPS 0441 | [https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1984-009A 1984-009A] 14675 | 31 January 1984 03:08:01 | {{nowrap|Titan III(34)D/Transtage*}} | CCAFS LC-40 | ||
| | USA-31 | [https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1988-077A 1988-077A] 19458 | 2 September 1988 12:05:02 | {{nowrap|Titan III(34)D/Transtage}} | CCAFS LC-40 | ||
| | USA-37 | [https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1989-035A 1989-035A] 19976 | 10 May 1989 19:47:01 | {{nowrap|Titan III(34)D/Transtage}} | CCAFS LC-40 |
:
See also
- Magnum SIGINT satellites – a similar, contemporary program run for the Central Intelligence Agency
- Mercury or "Advanced Vortex" SIGINT satellites – replacements for Vortex
References
- Richelson, Jeffrey T. ed. U.S. Military Uses of Space, 1945-1991 Vol 1, Guide. National Security Archive. 1991.
External links
- [http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/C/Chalet_Vortex.html Vortex satellite drawing]
- [https://fas.org/spp/military/program/sigint/overview.htm SIGINT satellite overeview] from Federation of American Scientists
- [https://fas.org/spp/military/program/sigint/androart.htm List of SIGINT satellites] from FAS
- [http://www.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.369 Jonathan's space report No 369] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619224722/http://www.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.369 |date=2009-06-19 }} (1998-08-22)
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20020208200724/http://www.astronautix.com/craft/chalet.htm Vortex/Chalet history] from Encyclopedia Astronautica
- [http://planet4589.org/space/log/ Launch log] from Jonathan's Space Report
{{Template:National Reconnaissance Office}}
{{NRO satellites}}
{{US Reconnaissance Satellites}}
Category:National Reconnaissance Office satellites