Vortex (satellite)
Encyclopedia
Vortex, previously known as Chalet, is a class of spy satellite
operated by the United States
during the 1980s and 1990s to collect signals intelligence
(SIGINT) from high Earth orbit. The Vortex satellites were operated by the National Reconnaissance Office
for the United States Air Force
and listened to radio transmissions originating from Earth or space. The intercepted data is believed to have been fed into and analyzed by the National Security Agency
ECHELON
system.
The satellites weigh approximately 1,800 kilogram
s and are operated from geosynchronous orbit
s. Each reportedly carried a 38-meter-diameter umbrella-like reflecting dish
to collect radio signals from Earth. At least six launch attempts were made of Chalet/Vortex satellites between 1978 and 1989. The Chalet/Vortex satellites replaced the older generation of Canyon satellites
, and were superseded by the larger, more capable Mercury SIGINT satellites
.
Spy satellite
A spy satellite is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications....
operated by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
during the 1980s and 1990s to collect signals intelligence
SIGINT
Signals intelligence is intelligence-gathering by interception of signals, whether between people , whether involving electronic signals not directly used in communication , or combinations of the two...
(SIGINT) from high Earth orbit. The Vortex satellites were operated by the National Reconnaissance Office
National Reconnaissance Office
The National Reconnaissance Office , located in Chantilly, Virginia, is one of the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies. It designs, builds, and operates the spy satellites of the United States government.-Mission:...
for the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and listened to radio transmissions originating from Earth or space. The intercepted data is believed to have been fed into and analyzed by the National Security Agency
National Security Agency
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...
ECHELON
ECHELON
ECHELON is a name used in global media and in popular culture to describe a signals intelligence collection and analysis network operated on behalf of the five signatory states to the UK–USA Security Agreement...
system.
The satellites weigh approximately 1,800 kilogram
Kilogram
The kilogram or kilogramme , also known as the kilo, is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units and is defined as being equal to the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram , which is almost exactly equal to the mass of one liter of water...
s and are operated from geosynchronous orbit
Geosynchronous orbit
A geosynchronous orbit is an orbit around the Earth with an orbital period that matches the Earth's sidereal rotation period...
s. Each reportedly carried a 38-meter-diameter umbrella-like reflecting dish
Parabolic reflector
A parabolic reflector is a reflective device used to collect or project energy such as light, sound, or radio waves. Its shape is that of a circular paraboloid, that is, the surface generated by a parabola revolving around its axis...
to collect radio signals from Earth. At least six launch attempts were made of Chalet/Vortex satellites between 1978 and 1989. The Chalet/Vortex satellites replaced the older generation of Canyon satellites
Canyon (satellite)
CANYON refers to a series of seven United States spy satellites launched between 1968 and 1977. Also known as AFP-827 , the satellites were developed with the participation of the Air Force...
, and were superseded by the larger, more capable Mercury SIGINT satellites
Mercury (satellite)
MERCURY is reportedly the name of a series of three United States spy satellites launched in the 1990s. These satellites were launched and operated by the National Reconnaissance Office with the participation of the United States Air Force. Two of the three launches from Cape Canaveral were...
.
Launches
| Satellite | Launch | NORAD North American Aerospace Defense Command North American Aerospace Defense Command is a joint organization of Canada and the United States that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and defense for the two countries. Headquarters NORAD is located at Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado... Number |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chalet 1 | 10 June 1978 | (OPS 9454) | COSPAR COSPAR The Committee on Space Research was established by the International Council for Science in 1958.Among COSPAR's objectives are the promotion of scientific research in space on an international level, with emphasis on the free exchange of results, information, and opinions, and providing a forum,... ID: 1978-058A |
| Chalet 2 | 1 October 1979 | (OPS 1948) | 1979-086A |
| Chalet 3 | 31 October 1981 | (OPS 4029) | 1981-107A |
| Vortex 4 | 31 January 1984 | (OPS 0441) | 1984-009A |
| Vortex 5 | 2 September 1988 | (USA 31) | 1988-077A |
| Vortex 6 | 10 May 1989 | (USA 37) | 1989-035A |
See also
- Magnum SIGINT satellitesMagnum (satellite)Magnum is the code name for a class of SIGINT spy satellites reportedly operated by the National Reconnaissance Office for the United States Central Intelligence Agency...
– a similar, contemporary program run for the Central Intelligence AgencyCentral Intelligence AgencyThe Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers... - MercuryMercury (satellite)MERCURY is reportedly the name of a series of three United States spy satellites launched in the 1990s. These satellites were launched and operated by the National Reconnaissance Office with the participation of the United States Air Force. Two of the three launches from Cape Canaveral were...
or "Advanced Vortex" SIGINT satellites – replacements for Vortex
External links
- Vortex satellite drawing
- SIGINT satellite overeview from Federation of American ScientistsFederation of American ScientistsThe Federation of American Scientists is a nonpartisan, 501 organization intent on using science and scientific analysis to attempt make the world more secure. FAS was founded in 1945 by scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project to develop the first atomic bombs...
- List of SIGINT satellites from FAS
- Jonathan's space report No 369 (1998-08-22)
- Vortex/Chalet history from Encyclopedia AstronauticaEncyclopedia AstronauticaThe Encyclopedia Astronautica is a reference web site on space travel. A comprehensive catalog of vehicles, technology, astronauts, and flights, it includes information from most countries that have had an active rocket research program, from Robert Goddard to the NASA Space shuttle to the Soviet...
- Launch log from Jonathan's Space ReportJonathan's Space ReportJonathan's Space Report is a newsletter about the space age. It is written by Jonathan McDowell, a Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics astrophysicist...