Apr 18 1986
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
An advanced reconnaissance satellite, believed to be a KH-11 photo-graphic reconnaissance satellite, was lost as the Titan rocket carrying it exploded seconds after liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. With only one HK-11 in orbit, officials were concerned that verification of arms control treaties would be hampered and that it would be more difficult for the Soviet Union and the United States to sign the treaties. Older satellites dropped film after photographing, but the KH-11 beamed pictures to ground stations and could maneuver about while in orbit. An HK-11 was lost in August 1985 when another Titan rocket failed. Assistant Secretary of Defense Donald Latham, estimated that it would be six or seven months before the Department of Defense could launch another satellite. Outside experts believed that the government might approve an emergency Shuttle launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base because the only other reconnaissance satellite remaining on the ground was an HK-12, believed too big for an expendable rocket. (NY Times, Apr 20/86; Apr 22/86; CSM, Apr 21/86; USA Today, Apr 21/86; W Post, Apr 22/86)
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