Jumpseat (satellite)

Jumpseat, also known as AFP-711[1] is reportedly a code name for a class of SIGINT reconnaissance satellites operated by the National Reconnaissance Office for the United States Air Force in the 1970s and 1980s. The program is classified, and much of the information in the open is speculative.

Satellites

It is believed that six Jumpseat satellites were successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Titan IIIB launch vehicles with Agena D boosters between 21 March 1971 and 31 July 1983, the primary purpose of them being to monitor Soviet ABM radars. There was one failure, when the second satellite's Agena malfunctioned and left it in a useless orbit.

The 700-kg Jumpseat satellites were manufactured by Hughes Aircraft and were inserted into highly elliptical Molniya orbits with an inclination of 63 degrees and orbital periods of close to 12 hours. These were in similar orbits to the Satellite Data System relay satellites.

The successors to the Jumpseat series are the Trumpet satellites.

Satellites
Name COSPAR ID
SATCAT №		 Launch date
(UTC)		 Launch vehicle Launch site Orbit Remarks
OPS 47881971-021A
05053		21 March 1971
03:45		Titan III(33)BVAFB SLC-4W
OPS 1844N/A16 February 1972
09:59		Titan III(33)BVAFB SLC-4WN/AFailed to achieve orbit
OPS 77241973-056A
06791		21 August 1973
16:07		Titan III(33)BVAFB SLC-4W
OPS 24391975-017A
07687		10 March 1975
04:41		Titan III(34)BVAFB SLC-4W
OPS 60311978-021A
10688		25 February 1978
05:00		Titan III(34)BVAFB SLC-4W
OPS 72251981-038A
12418		24 April 1981
21:32		Titan III(34)BVAFB SLC-4W
OPS 73041983-078A
14237		31 July 1983
15:41		Titan III(34)BVAFB SLC-4W

References
  1. Jonathan's Space Report, No. 135 (1992 Dec 1)

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