Enhanced Imaging System Explained

Enhanced Imaging System (EIS), officially referred to as "Enhanced Imagery System",^{[1] [2]} previously known as 8X, and sometimes unofficially known as Misty 2 and KH-13,^[3] is an American reconnaissance satellite program. A derivative of the Improved Crystal satellites,^[4] EIS replaced Misty, and was intended to provide more coverage and dwell time than previous reconnaissance satellites;^[5] like Misty, it has stealth capabilities.^[6] Only one EIS satellite has been launched; USA-144, which was placed into orbit by a Titan IVB rocket on 22 May 1999.^{[7] [8]}

History

In 1995, a Los Angeles Times article reported that the 8X program was intended as "a major upgrade to the KH-12", with a mass of as much as 20 tons, which would be used for detailed imaging with a wide field of view. The cost of the program was a subject of disagreement from some within the military at the time.^{[9] [10]} By 1998, the program had been renamed Enhanced Imaging System.^[5] The Future Imagery Architecture program, which was intended to replace the Lacrosse and Improved Crystal satellites, was developed alongside EIS.^[5]

See also

• Corona series: KH-1, KH-2, KH-3, KH-4
• KH-5 ARGON, KH-6 LANYARD
• KH-7 and KH-8 GAMBIT
• KH-9 HEXAGON "Big Bird"
• Manned Orbital Laboratory (MOL) or KH-10
• KH-11

Further reading

• John Pike (July 24, 1998). 8X Enhanced Imaging System. Federation of American Scientists. Accessed May 3, 2004 (October 17, 2001).
• US space-based reconnaissance reinforced. Jane's Defence Weekly. Accessed May 3, 2004.

Notes and References

1. Web site: INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000: National Imagery and Mapping Agency (House Report 106-130). 7 May 1999 . U.S. Government Printing Office.
2. Web site: National Intelligence Program FY 2010 Congressional Budget Justification: Volume IV . May 2009 . National Reconnaissance Program. 21.
3. Book: . The complete book of spaceflight . 2003 . . Several launches with Key Hole designations, including KH-11, KH-12, and KH-13, have taken place since 1992. ... The ninth and final KH-11 satellite was launched in 1998, after which the KH-12 program, involving satellites about the ... . 0-471-05649-9 .
4. Book: . Military Technologies of the World . 2008 . Abc-Clio . The advancement in the KH-series resulted in the KH-13, for which little information is yet available. ... . 978-0-275-99537-9 .
5. Web site: 8X lives on as the Enhanced Imaging System. Allen. Thomson. Federation of American Scientists. 8 May 1998. 18 December 2010.
6. Web site: Thompson. Allen. A Stealth Satellite Sourcebook. Federation of American Scientists. 18 December 2010.
7. Encyclopedia: Wade. Mark. Improved Crystal. Encyclopedia Astronautica. 18 December 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101118031853/http://www.astronautix.com/craft/impystal.htm. 18 November 2010.
8. Encyclopedia: Wade. Mark. Misty. Encyclopedia Astronautica. 18 December 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101129035529/http://astronautix.com/craft/misty.htm. 29 November 2010.
9. News: Risen. James. Vartabedian. Ralph. U.S. Launches Costly Overhaul of Spy Satellites. Los Angeles Times. 1995-09-28. 2017-07-06. 2012-09-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20120925025543/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/21380120.html?dids=21380120:21380120&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+28,+1995&author=JAMES+RISEN&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=1&desc=U.S.+Launches+Costly+Overhaul+of+Spy+Satellites. dead.
10. Web site: 8X: The monster that ate the budget. Allen Thomson. 1995-10-07.