NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Failure

KH-9 20 (Hexagon 20) & Pearl Ruby

Launch Time
Fri Apr 18, 1986 18:45 UTC

Solid rocket motor exploded at T+8 seconds due to booster segment joint failure.

Rocket

Titan 34D
Martin Marietta
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 11,279 kN
Payload to LEO: 14,515 kg
Payload to GTO: 5,000 kg
Stages: 3
Strap-ons: 2
Rocket Height: 50.0 m
Fairing Diameter: 3.05 m

Mission Details

KH-9 20 (Hexagon 20)

The KH-9, also known as Hexagon or "Big Bird," was a large reconnaissance satellite designed to replace the earlier KH-4B Corona satellites. Unlike its predecessors, it utilized a new maneuverable bus called SCS (Satellite Control Section) and featured four return capsules for extended operational lifespan. Manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, the Mk.8 return capsules facilitated mid-air recovery of film capsules, similar to Corona satellites. The camera system, built by Perkin-Elmer, comprised two panoramic cameras for area surveillance, capturing images at altitudes ranging from 90 to 200 miles. These cameras utilized an f/3.0 folded Wright Camera optical layout with a 1.5 m focal length and achieved ground resolutions better than 0.61 m, scanning areas up to 120° wide.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 13,300.0 kg
Polar Orbit

Pearl Ruby

Pearl Ruby was a piggy-back experiment flown on the last KH-9 Hexagon reconnaissance satellite. Likely Pearl Ruby was to test advanced Infra-red sensors on orbit as part of DARPA's Ruby series of infrared experiments.

Location

SLC-4E, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Stats

1986

33rd orbital launch attempt

Titan III

145th mission
1st mission of 1986
12th failed mission