Vortex (satellite)

Vortex, previously known as Chalet, was 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.

Vortex

Vortex satellite footprints
Country of origin	United States
Operator	National Reconnaissance Office United States Air Force
Applications	Espionage
Specifications
Launch mass	1,800 kilograms (4,000 lb)
Regime	Non-stationary geosynchronous orbit
Production
Built	6
Launched	6
Failed	0
Maiden launch	10 June 1978, 19:08 UTC
Last launch	10 May 1989, 19:47:01 UTC
← Canyon Mercury →

The satellites each had a mass of approximately 1,800 kilograms and are operated from non-stationary geosynchronous orbits. 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 The Chalet/Vortex satellites replaced the older generation of Canyon satellites, and were superseded by the larger, more capable Mercury satellites.

Launches

Name	COSPAR ID SATCAT No.	Launch date (UTC)	Launch vehicle	Launch site	Orbit	Remarks
OPS 9454	1978-058A 10941	10 June 1978 19:08	Titan III(23)C	CCAFS LC-40
OPS 1948	1979-086A 11558	1 October 1979 11:22:00	Titan III(23)C	CCAFS LC-40
OPS 4029	1981-107A 12930	31 October 1981 09:22:00	Titan III(23)C	CCAFS LC-40
OPS 0441	1984-009A 14675	31 January 1984 03:08:01	Titan III(34)D/Transtage*	CCAFS LC-40
USA-31	1988-077A 19458	2 September 1988 12:05:02	Titan III(34)D/Transtage	CCAFS LC-40
USA-37	1989-035A 19976	10 May 1989 19:47:01	Titan III(34)D/Transtage	CCAFS LC-40

* – The rockets used for the first three launches also included Transtages, however it was considered an integral component of the Titan III(23)C rocket, and an additional upper stage for Titan III(34)D launches.

See also

• Magnum SIGINT satellites – a similar, contemporary program run for the Central Intelligence Agency
• Mercury or "Advanced Vortex" SIGINT satellites – replacements for Vortex

References

• Richelson, Jeffrey T. ed. U.S. Military Uses of Space, 1945-1991 Vol 1, Guide. National Security Archive. 1991.

External links

• Vortex satellite drawing
• SIGINT satellite overeview from Federation of American Scientists
• List of SIGINT satellites from FAS
• Jonathan's space report No 369 Archived 2009-06-19 at the Wayback Machine (1998-08-22)
• Vortex/Chalet history from Encyclopedia Astronautica
• Launch log from Jonathan's Space Report