Corona spy satellites 1960-1972

Corona spy satellites1960-1972

Corona image of the Pentagon, 25 Sep 1967 

The KH-4A camera system was first introduced in August 1963. Resolution ranged from 9 to 25 feet. 

KH-71966-1984

The massive KH-9 Hexagon spy satelliteThe KH-9 Hexagon satellites had 5 to 10 meter resolutions20 KH-9 Hexagons were launched by the National Reconnaissance Office between 1971 and 1986.

KH-111976-present

roughly the same size as the Hubble Space Telescope with a similar 2.4-meter mirror producing a six inch resolutionThe images the CIA used to find Osama bin Laden's hideout were reportedly supplied by the KENNAN

An image of a Communist Chinese jet bomber taken by an NRO KH-11 spacecraft flying at more than 200 miles altitude illustrates the reconnaissance capibility of the 35,000 lb. spacecraft.