 |
|
| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
|
|
Chalet/Vortex
The second generation of United States Air Force SIGINT (signals intelligence) satellites, launched between 1978 and 1989, that superceded Canyon and Rhyolite/Aquacade. The program was renamed Vortex after the code name Chalet appeared in The New York Times. It was superceded by Magnum and Mercury ELINT.
 |
Chalet/Vortex was even larger than Rhyolite, weighing around 1800 kg and having a 38-meter diameter antenna. Its primary mission was to intercept communications carried on UHF radio links which used antennae directed towards stationary orbit, or antennae with wide main lobes. There were six launches in total: Chalet-1 (Jun. 10, 1978) and Vortex 1-5 (Oct. 1, 1979 - May 10, 1989). The second batch of three Vortex satellites, launched from 1984 to 1989, probably had enhanced sensors. One was stranded in the wrong orbit when its Titan Transstage (transfer stage) malfunctioned. Each Chalet/Vortex satellite had a nominal lifetime of 5 to 7 years.
| Launch vehicle | Titan-3C and -34D |
| Site | Cape Canaveral |
| Orbit | quasi-GSO 32,940 × 38,330 km × 5.5° |
| Size | 38.4 × 36.6 m |
| Mass | 1,800 kg |
Related categories
• SATELLITES AND SPACE PROBES
• MILITARY RECONNAISSANCE AND SURVEILLANCE
Also on this site:
Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History
Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site)