Data Quality84%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the optical / imaging satellites category.
01 / Overview
KH-6 Lanyard
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1963–1963
Quantity
3
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
OPTICAL / IMAGING SATELLITES · COLD WAR
7
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
35
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the optical / imaging satellites category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- Satellite Typereconnaissance satellite
- First Launch Year1963
- OperatorNational Reconnaissance Office
- Constellation Size1
- ManufacturerLockheed Corporation
- In ServiceNo
◈Orbit5MOD.5
- Orbit Type (LEO/MEO/GEO)Low Earth orbit
- Altitude185 km
- Inclination81.9
- Orbital Period90
- Design Life0.04 year
▣Platform3MOD.3
- Launch Mass1,500 kg
- Stabilization3-axis stabilized
- Satellite BusAgena D
◇Payload5MOD.5
- Primary PayloadItek E-5 camera
- Imaging Resolution1.8 m
- Swath Width14 km
- Sensor Typeoptical imaging
- Inter-Satellite LinkNo
◆Program2MOD.2
- Number Launched3
- First Launch1963
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1963Production started
63
years in service
0
years in production
3
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
OPTICAL / IMAGING SATELLITES RANKING Optical / Imaging Satellites · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
26OPTICAL / IMAGING SATELLITES7COLD WAR · OPTICAL / IMAGING SATELLITES2629UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS25PERFORMANCE/PRICE · OPTICAL / IMAGING SATELLITES
ⓘ Rankings are within theOptical / Imaging Satellitescategory.
📚 Sources