KH8 / Gambit

(Selected)
Keyhole (KH) series
satellites

KH9 / Hexagon
KH8 / GambitKH9 / Hexagon

This page contains (selected) philatelic information on Keyhole (KH) series satellites. Catalog numbers, years of issue, and notes on the satellites featured are given when available. If readers know of additional information or images, please contact the authors using the e-mail addresses at the bottom of this page.

Early Keyhole (KH) [all KH1 thru KH3, plus some KH4 and KH5] reconnaissance satellites were first known as the Discoverer / Corona-series.

Launch information
(found elsewhere)
Launch covers
(including anniversary-of-launch covers, and launch-related event covers)
(farther below or elsewhere)
Other postal items
(stamps, souvenir sheets, aerogrammes, postal cards, etc.)
(immediately below or elsewhere)
Discoverer / Corona
(ARPA)
Discoverer / Corona
(ARPA)
Discoverer / Corona
(ARPA)
Keyhole (KH)
(CIA)
Keyhole (KH)
(CIA)
Keyhole (KH)
(CIA)
Keyhole (on other than Keyhole launch covers)


Below is a list of Keyhole (KH) series satellite postal items (stamps, souvenir sheets, aerogrammes, postal cards, etc.).

CountryCatalog NumberType of ItemYear of IssueNotes on Content
Keyhole (KH) (CIA)
No (non-launch cover) postal items found


Below is a list of (Selected) Keyhole (KH) series satellite launch covers (including anniversary-of-launch covers, and launch-related event covers).

CountryCancel DateCancel LocationType of ItemNotes on Content
(Selected) Keyhole (KH) (CIA)
1962-04-18: KH4-2 / Discoverer-39
United States1962-04-17Vandenberg AFB, CA(Sarzin) cachet on coverKH4-2 launch ("highly classified secret satellite")
1962-04-28: KH4-3
United States1962-04-28Vandenberg AFB, CA(Goldcraft Cachets) cachet on coverKH4-3 launch
United States1962-04-28Vandenberg AFB, CA(Sarzin) cachet on coverKH4-3 launch (not "Discoverer" as in text)
United States1962-04-28Vandenberg AFB, CA(SpaceCraft Type-A general-purpose) cachet on coverKH4-3 launch
United States1962-04-28Vandenberg AFB, CA(Holden black and blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4-3 launch
1962-05-15: KH5-5
United States1962-05-15Vandenberg AFB, CA(Goldcraft Cachets) cachet on coverKH5-5 launch (but Mercury boilerplate capsule depicted)
United States1962-05-15Vandenberg AFB, CA(SpaceCraft Type-A general-purpose) cachet on coverKH5-5 launch
United States1962-05-15Vandenberg AFB, CA(Holden blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH5-5 launch
United States1962-05-15Vandenberg AFB, CA(Holden black and blue rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH5-5 launch
1962-05-29: KH4-4
United States1962-05-29Vandenberg AFB, CA(SpaceCraft Type-A general-purpose) cachet on coverKH4-4 launch
United States1962-05-29Vandenberg AFB, CA(Holden magenta and cyan rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH4-4 launch
1962-06-01: KH4-5 (and OSCAR-2)
United States1962-06-01Vandenberg AFB, CA(SpaceCraft Type-C general-purpose) cachet on coverKH4-5 launch
1962-08-01: KH4-10
United States1962-08-01Vandenberg AFB, CA(SpaceCraft Type-B general-purpose) cachet on coverKH4-10 launch
1962-09-01: KH5-6
United States1962-09-01Vandenberg AFB, CA(SpaceCraft Type-C general-purpose) cachet on coverKH5-6 launch
1962-09-17: KH4-12 (and US-ERS-2)
United States1962-09-17Vandenberg AFB, CA(Goldcraft Cachets) cachet on coverKH4-12 launch
United States1962-09-17Vandenberg AFB, CA(SpaceCraft Type-C general-purpose) cachet on coverKH4-12 launch
United States1962-09-17Vandenberg AFB, CA(Holden black and magenta and red rubber-stamp and black typed) cachet on coverKH4-12 launch
1962-09-29: KH4-13
United States1962-09-29Lompoc CA(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insertKH4-13 launch (but Transit-2A depicted)
United States1962-09-29Vandenberg AFB, CA(Holden blue and magenta) cachet on (airmail) coverKH4-13 launch
1962-11-05: KH4-14
United States1962-11-05Vandenberg AFB, CA(Goldcraft Cachets) cachet on coverKH4-14 launch
United States1962-11-05Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? green and magenta rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4-14 launch ("secret")
United States1962-11-05Vandenberg AFB, CA(Holden black and magenta rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4-14 launch
United States1962-11-05Vandenberg AFB, CA(Holden blue and magenta rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH4-14 launch
1962-11-24: KH4-15
United States1962-11-24Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4-15 launch
1962-12-04: KH4-16
United States1962-12-04Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet) cachet on coverKH4-16 launch
1963-04-26: KH5-8 [failed]
[DSAP-1-F4 launched separately on same day also at Vandenberg AFB]
United States1963-04-26Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH5-8 launch [failed]
1963-05-18: KH6-2
United States1963-05-18Vandenberg AFB, CA(Black printed) cachet on coverKH6-2 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1963-05-18Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue and red rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH6-2 launch
United States1963-05-18Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? magenta rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH6-2 launch ("secret payload")
1963-06-12: KH4-21
United States1963-06-12Vandenberg AFB, CA(Black printed) cachet on coverKH4-21 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1963-06-12Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? red rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4-21 launch
1963-06-26: KH4-22 (and Hitchhiker-1)
United States1963-06-26Vandenberg AFB, CA(Rank velvet) cachet on coverKH4-22 launch ("Hitch-hiker" in text)
United States1963-06-26Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp and black typed) cachet on coverKH4-22 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1963-06-26Vandenberg AFB, CA(Sarzin) cachet on coverKH4-22 launch (not "Discoverer" as in text; "secret satellite")
United States1963-06-26Vandenberg AFB, CA(Red printed) cachet on coverKH4-22 launch ("secret satellite")
1963-07-19: KH4-23
United States1963-07-18Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue and magenta rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4-23 launch
1963-08-25: KH4A-1
United States1963-08-24Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? blue and cyan rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4A-1 launch
1963-09-06: KH7-2
United States1963-09-06Vandenberg AFB, CA(Sarzin) cachet on coverKH7-2 launch ("spy in the sky satellite")
1963-11-27: KH4-25
United States1963-11-27Vandenberg AFB, CA(Sarzin) cachet on coverKH4-25 launch (not "Discoverer" as in text)
1963-12-21: KH4-26 (and P11-4101)
United States1963-12-21Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? magenta and blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4-26 launch
1964-02-25: KH7-5
United States1964-02-25Vandenberg AFB, CA(C. Swanson purple rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH7-5 launch
1965-04-29: KH4A-19
United States1965-04-29Vandenberg AFB, CA(Goldcraft) cachet on coverKH4A-19 launch ("secret satellite")
1965-05-18: KH4A-20
United States1965-05-18Vandenberg AFB, CA(Goldcraft Cachets) cachet on coverKH4A-20 launch ("secret satellite")
1965-09-30: KH7-22
United States1965-09-30Vandenberg AFB, CA(HJM black and Swanson/DuBeau? red and blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH7-22 launch
1965-10-05: KH4A-25
United States1965-10-05Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? magenta rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4A-25 launch
1966-07-29: KH8-1
United States1966-07-29Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-1 launch ("secret satellite")
1966-08-09: KH4A-35
United States1966-08-09Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4A-35 launch ("secret satellite")
1966-08-16: KH7-31
United States1966-08-16Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH7-31 launch ("secret satellite")
1966-09-17: KH7-32 (and P11-4406)
United States1966-09-17Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH7-32 launch ("secret satellite")
1966-09-20: KH4A-36
[Surveyor-2 launched separately on same day at Cape Canaveral FL]
No launch cover images available yet
1966-09-28: KH8-2
United States1966-09-28Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-2 launch ("secret satellite")
1967-01-14: KH4A-38
United States1967-01-14Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4A-38 launch
1967-02-02: KH7-36
United States1967-02-02Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH7-36 launch
1967-02-22: KH4A-39
United States1967-02-22Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? purple rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4A-39 launch ("secret payload")
1967-02-24: KH8-4
United States1967-02-24Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? purple rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-4 launch
1967-03-30: KH4A-40
United States1967-03-30Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4A-40 launch ("secret payload")
1967-04-26: KH8-5 [failed]
United States1967-04-26Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? purple rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-5 launch [failed]
1967-05-09: KH4A-41 (and P11-4408)
United States1967-05-09Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4A-41 launch ("secret payload")
1967-05-22: KH7-37 (and LOGACS)
United States1967-05-22Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH7-37 launch ("secret satellite")
1967-06-04: KH7-38
United States1967-06-04Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? purple rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH7-38 launch ("secret satellite")
1967-06-16: KH4A-42 (and P11-4409)
United States1967-06-16Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4A-42 launch ("secret payload")
1967-06-20: KH8-6
United States1967-06-20Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-6 launch
1967-08-16: KH8-7
United States1967-08-16Vandenberg AFB, CA(Orbit Covers) cachet on coverKH8-7 launch ("USAF secret satellite" and "spy-sky mission")
1967-09-15: KH4B-1
United States1967-09-15Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4B-1 launch
1967-12-05: KH8-10
United States1967-12-05Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? purple rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH8-10 launch
United States1967-12-05Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? magenta rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-10 launch
1968-06-05: KH8-14
United States1968-06-05Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on cover, also cachet detailKH8-14 launch ("secret satellite")
1968-08-06: KH8-15
[Canyon-1 launched separately on same day at Cape Canaveral FL]
United States1968-08-06Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? cyan rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-15 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1968-08-06Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue and black rubber-stamp) cachet (different) on coverKH8-15 launch
1968-08-07: KH4B-4
United States1968-08-07Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4B-4 launch
1968-09-10: KH8-16
United States1968-09-10Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/Vandy? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH8-16 launch ("secret satellite")
1968-09-18: KH4A-48 (and P11-4413)
United States1968-09-18Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue and black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4A-48 launch ("secret")
United States1968-09-18Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue and black rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH4A-48 launch ("secret")
United States1968-09-18?Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? purple rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4A-48 launch
United States1968-09-18Kennedy Space Center FL(R. DuBeau magenta rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4A-48 launch ("intel satellite")
1968-11-06: KH8-17
United States1968-11-06Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/Vandy? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-17 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1968-11-06Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/Vandy? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH8-17 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1968-11-06Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/Vandy? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail, different) coverKH8-17 launch ("secret satellite")
1968-12-04: KH8-18 [partial failure]
United States1968-12-04Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-18 launch ("secret...satellite") [partial failure]
1969-02-05: KH4B-63 (and P801-2)
United States1969-02-05Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4B-6 launch ("secret...satellite")
1969-03-04: KH8-20
United States1969-03-04Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-20 launch ("secret payload")
1969-03-19: KH4A-50 (and P11-4418)
United States1969-03-19Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4A-50 launch ("secret payload")
1969-04-15: KH8-21
United States1969-04-15Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Swanson blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-21 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
United States1969-04-15Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Swanson blue rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH8-21 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
1969-05-01: KH4A-51 (and P11-4417)
United States1969-05-01Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4A-51 launch ("secret satellite")
1969-06-03: KH8-22
United States1969-06-03Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-22 launch ("secret satellite")
1969-08-22: KH8-23
United States1969-08-22Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on cover, also cachet detailKH8-23 launch ("secret satellite")
1969-09-22: KH4A-52 (and P11-4419)
United States1969-09-22Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue and magenta rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4A-52 launch ("secret")
1969-10-24: KH8-24
United States1969-10-24Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-24 launch ("secret satellite")
1969-12-04: KH4B-8
United States1969-12-04Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4B-8 launch ("secret satellite")
1970-05-20: KH4B-10 (and P11-4421)
United States1970-05-20Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH4B-10 launch ("secret payload")
United States1970-05-20Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Vandy?/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH4B-10 launch ("secret payload")
1970-08-25: KH8-27
United States1970-08-25Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Swanson blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-27 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
1970-07-22: KH4B-11
United States1970-07-22Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Space Voyage) cachet on cover, also insertKH4B-11 launch
1970-08-18: KH8-28
United States1970-08-18Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-28 launch
1970-10-23: KH8-29
United States1970-10-23Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Swanson blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-29 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
1970-11-18: KH4B-12 (and P11-4423)
United States1970-11-18Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4B-12 launch ("secret satellite")
1971-01-21: KH8-30
United States1971-01-21Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Space Voyage) cachet on cover, also insertKH8-30 launch (not "Super SAMOS" or "SAMOS-80" or "SAMOS-81" as in text)
United States1971-01-21Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(DuBeau?/Swanson cyan rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-30 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
1971-02-17: KH4B-13 [failed]
United States1971-02-17Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Swanson blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4B-13 launch [failed] (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
1971-03-24: KH4B-14
United States1971-03-24Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Swanson blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4B-14 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
1971-04-22: KH8-31
United States1971-04-22Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Space Voyage) cachet on cover, also insertKH8-31 launch (not "SAMOS-82" as on front); (also "SAMOS-81" on insert is actually KH8-30)
United States1971-04-22Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Swanson blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-31 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
United States1971-04-22Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(DuBeau?/Swanson blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-31 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
1971-06-15: KH9-1
United States1971-06-15Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Space Voyage) cachet on cover, also insertKH9-1 launch ("Big Bird"2; not "Advanced SAMOS" as in text; "467 program")
1971-09-10: KH4B-15
United States1971-09-10Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4B-15 launch ("secret payload")
1971-10-23: KH8-33
United States1971-10-23Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau?) cachet on coverKH8-33 launch ("secret satellite")
1972-01-20: KH9-2 (and P11-4424)
United States1972-01-20Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH9-2 launch ("2nd Big Bird"2; not "SAMOS" as in text); ("piggyback electronic intelligence [elint] monitor")
United States1972-01-20Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet) cachet on coverKH9-2 launch ("secret")
1972-03-17: KH8-34
United States1972-03-17Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(DuBeau?/Swanson black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-34 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
United States1972-03-17Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(DuBeau?/Swanson black rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH8-34 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
United States1972-03-17Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Swanson black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-34 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
1972-04-19: KH4B-16
United States1972-04-19Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4B-16 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1972-04-19Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4B-16 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1972-04-19Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? cyan rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4B-16 launch ("secret satellite")
1972-05-20: KH8-35 [failed]
United States1972-05-20Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-35 launch [failed] ("secret satellite launch")
United States1972-05-20Vandenberg AFB, CA(Centennial) cachet on coverKH8-35 launch [failed] ("secret satellite")
United States1972-05-20Vandenberg AFB, CA(InterSpace Cover brown and red) cachet on coverKH8-35 launch [failed] (not "SAMOS" as in text)
United States1972-05-20Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage brown and orange) cachet on coverKH8-35 launch [failed] (not "SAMOS" as in text)
1972-05-25: KH4B-17
United States1972-05-25Vandenberg AFB, CA(Centennial) cachet on coverKH4B-17 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1972-05-25Vandenberg AFB, CA(Centennial) cachet (no rocket image) on coverKH4B-17 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1972-05-25Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Swanson blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4B-17 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
United States1972-05-25Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Swanson green rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH4B-17 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
United States1972-05-25Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on cover, also insertKH4B-17 launch ("On May 20, an attempt to launch a high-resolution SAMOS recon/survey mission...failed", refers to KH8-35); ("'search and find' recon satellite")
1972-07-07: KH9-3 (and P11-4425)
United States1972-07-07Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on cover, also insertKH9-3 launch ("Big Bird-3"2, "Project 467"; not "SAMOS-88" as in text, "project 467", "ELINT companion", all on front; "The first of the series, launched on June 15, 1971" (refers to KH9-1), "mission number two, launched on Jan 20, 1972" (refers to KH9-2), "The May 20 "SAMOS failure" (refers to KH8-35), "was followed on May 25" (refers to KH4B-17), all in insert text)
United States1972-07-07Vandenberg AFB, CA(Centennial) cachet on coverKH9-3 launch ("secret spy satellite")
United States1972-07-07Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Swanson/DuBeau? purple rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-3 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1972-07-10Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? purple rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-3 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1972-07-10Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? purple rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH9-3 launch ("secret satellite")
1972-09-01: KH8-36
United States1972-09-01Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on cover, also insertKH8-36 launch (not "SAMOS-89" as in text); ("super spy")
United States1972-09-01Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Swanson blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-36 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite launch")
United States1972-09-01Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(DuBeau?/Swanson blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-36 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
United States1972-09-01Vandenberg AFB, CA(Centennial) cachet on coverKH8-36 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1972-09-01Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-36 launch ("secret satellite")
1972-10-10: KH9-4 (and P801-4)
United States1972-10-10Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Vandy printed/typed) cachet on coverKH9-4 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1972-10-10Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy printed/typed) cachet on (airmail) coverKH9-4 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1972-10-10Vandenberg AFB, CA(InterSpace Cover) cachet on coverKH9-4 launch ("Big Bird-4"2, "Project 467")
1972-12-21: KH8-37
[Canyon-5 launched separately on same day at Cape Canaveral FL]
United States1972-12-21Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-37 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1972-12-21Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Swanson/DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-37 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1972-12-21Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on cover, also insertKH8-37 launch (not "SAMOS-91" as in text; "Big Bird"2 on insert)
United States1972-12-21Vandenberg AFB, CA(InterSpace Cover) cachet on cover, also insertKH8-37 launch (not "SAMOS-91" as in text; "Big Bird"2 on insert)
1973-03-09: KH9-5
United States1973-03-09Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH9-5 launch (not "SAMOS-92" as in text; "spy reconnaissance")
United States1973-03-09Vandenberg AFB, CA(InterSpace Cover) cachet on coverKH9-5 launch (not "SAMOS-92" as in text; "spy reconnaissance")
United States1973-03-09Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-5 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1973-03-09Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? cyan rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-5 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1973-03-09Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-5 launch ("secret satellite")
1973-05-16: KH8-38
United States1973-05-16Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH8-38 launch (not "SAMOS-93" as in text)
United States1973-05-16Vandenberg AFB, CA(InterSpace Cover) cachet on coverKH8-38 launch (not "SAMOS-93" as in text)
United States1973-05-16Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(DuBeau?/Swanson black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-38 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
United States1973-05-16Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Swanson black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-38 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted); ("secret satellite")
1973-06-26: KH8-39 [failed]
United States1973-06-26Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-39 launch [failed] ("secret satellite")
United States1973-06-26Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Swanson/DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-39 launch [failed] ("secret satellite")
United States1973-06-26Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH8-39 launch [failed] (not "SAMOS" as in text)
United States1973-06-26Vandenberg AFB, CA(InterSpace Cover) cachet on coverKH8-39 launch [failed] (not "SAMOS" as in text)
1973-07-13: KH9-6
United States1973-07-13Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-6 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1973-07-13Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-6 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1973-07-13Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH9-6 launch ("Big Bird-6"2, "Project 467"; not "SAMOS-94" as in text)
United States1973-07-13Vandenberg AFB, CA(InterSpace Cover) cachet on coverKH9-6 launch ("Big Bird-6"2, "Project 467"; not "SAMOS-94" as in text)
1973-11-10: KH9-7 (and P11-4426 and P801-5)
United States1973-11-10Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-7 launch
United States1973-11-10Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Vandy?/DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-7 launch
United States1973-11-10Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH9-7 launch ("Big Bird-7"2; not "SAMOS-96", as in text; "elint monitor")
United States1973-11-10Vandenberg AFB, CA(InterSpace Cover) cachet on coverKH9-7 launch ("Big Bird-7"2; not "SAMOS-96", as in text; "elint monitor")
1974-02-13: KH8-41
United States1974-02-13Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH8-41 launch (not "SAMOS-97" as in text)
United States1974-02-13Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau? purple rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-41 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1974-02-13Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(DuBeau? purple rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-41 launch ("secret satellite")
1974-04-10: KH9-8 (and P11-4428 and IRCB)
United States1974-04-10Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH9-8 launch ("Big Bird-8"2; not "SAMOS-98" as in text)
United States1974-04-10Vandenberg AFB, CA(InterSpace Cover) cachet on coverKH9-8 launch ("Big Bird-8"2; not "SAMOS-98" as in text)
United States1974-04-10Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-8 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1974-04-10Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-8 launch ("secret satellite")
1974-06-06: KH8-42
United States1974-06-06Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Swanson blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-42 launch (but ESRO-2A1 depicted)
United States1974-06-06Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH8-42 launch (not "SAMOS-99" as in text)
United States1974-06-06Vandenberg AFB, CA(InterSpace Cover) cachet on coverKH8-42 launch (not "SAMOS-99" as in text)
1974-08-14: KH8-43
United States1974-08-14Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH8-43 launch (not "SAMOS-100" as in text)
United States1974-08-14Vandenberg AFB, CA(InterSpace Cover) cachet on coverKH8-43 launch (not "SAMOS-100" as in text)
United States1974-08-14Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-43 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1974-08-14Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-43 launch ("secret satellite")
1974-10-29: KH9-9 (and P11-4429 and S3-1)
United States1974-10-29Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH9-9 launch ("Big Bird-9"2; not "SAMOS-101" as in text)
United States1974-10-29Vandenberg AFB, CA(InterSpace Cover) cachet on coverKH9-9 launch ("Big Bird-9"2; not "SAMOS-101" as in text)
United States1974-10-29Vandenberg AFB, CA(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-9 launch ("secret satellite")
United States1974-10-29Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Swanson/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-9 launch ("secret satellite")
1975-04-18: KH8-44
United States1975-04-18Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH8-44 launch ("Big Bird"2; not "SAMOS-102" as in text)
United States1975-04-18Talkeetna AK(Black printed) cachet on coverKH8-44 launch
United States1975-04-18Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-44 launch
1975-06-08: KH9-10 (and P226-1)
United States1975-06-08Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH9-10 launch ("Big Bird-10"2; not "SAMOS-103" as in text)
1975-10-09: KH8-45
United States1975-10-09Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH8-45 launch (not "SAMOS-104" as in text)
United States1975-10-09Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy cyan rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-45 launch
United States1975-10-09Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Vandy cyan rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-45 launch
1975-12-04: KH9-11 (and S3-2)
United States1975-12-04Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH9-11 launch ("Big Bird-11"2; not "SAMOS-105" and "Advanced SAMOS" as in text)
1976-03-22: KH8-46
United States1976-03-22Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-46 launch (not "Defense Meteorological Satellite" as in text)
United States1976-03-22Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH8-46 launch (not "Defense Meteorological Satellite" as in text)
United States1976-03-22Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-46 launch (not "Defense Meteorological Satellite" as in text)
United States1976-03-22Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH8-46 launch (not "Defense Meteorological Satellite" as in text)
United States1976-03-22Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH8-46 launch ("Big Bird"2; not "SAMOS-106" as in text)
1976-07-08: KH9-12 (and P11-4430 and S3-3)
United States1976-07-08Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-12 launch ("secret launch")
United States1976-07-08Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH9-12 launch ("secret launch")
United States1976-07-08Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-12 launch ("secret launch")
1976-09-15: KH8-47
United States1976-09-15Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? red rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-47 launch (but ATS-6 depicted; "secret payload")
United States1976-09-15Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? red rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH8-47 launch (but ATS-6 depicted; "secret payload")
United States1976-09-15Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH8-47 launch ("Big Bird"2; not "SAMOS-108" as in text)
1976-12-19: KH11-1
United States1976-12-19Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH11-1 launch ("Big Bird-13"2; not "SAMOS-109" as in text)
United States1976-12-19Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau? magenta) cachet on coverKH11-1 launch ("secret instrumentation satellite")
United States1976-12-19Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau? red) cachet on (airmail) coverKH11-1 launch ("secret instrumentation satellite")
1977-03-13: KH8-48
United States1977-03-13Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH8-48 launch ("Big Bird"2; not "SAMOS-110" as in text)
United States1977-03-13Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-48 launch
United States1977-03-13Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? purple rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-48 launch
United States1977-03-13Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? purple rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH8-48 launch
1977-06-27: KH9-13
United States1977-06-27Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage sticker) cachet on coverKH9-13 launch ("Big Bird-14"2; not "SAMOS-111" as in text)
United States1977-06-27Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Vandy? blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-13 launch ("classified mission")
1977-09-23: KH8-49
United States1977-09-23Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH8-49 launch ("Big Bird"2; not "SAMOS-112" as in text)
United States1977-09-23Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? red rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-49 launch ("unscheduled satellite")
United States1977-09-23Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Vandy?/DuBeau? red rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH8-49 launch ("unscheduled satellite")
1978-03-16: KH9-14 (and P11-4432)
United States1978-03-16Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH9-14 launch ("Big Bird-15"2; not "SAMOS" as in text)
1978-06-14: KH11-2
United States1978-06-14Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH11-2 launch ("Big Bird-16"2)
United States1978-06-14Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(DuBeau?/Vandy? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH11-2 launch ("classified satellite")
United States1978-06-14Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Vandy? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH11-2 launch ("classified satellite")
United States1978-06-14Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau?/Vandy? black rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH11-2 launch ("classified satellite")
1979-05-29: KH8-50
United States1979-05-28Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH8-50 launch (not "KH-11", as in text, "Big Bird"2, "Program 467")
United States1979-05-29Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau? purple rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH8-50 launch ("classified satellite")
1980-02-07: KH11-3
United States1980-02-07Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH11-3 launch ("reconnaissance satellite")
United States1980-02-07Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH11-3 launch ("classified satellite")
United States1980-02-07Vandenberg AFB, CA(DuBeau? black rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH11-3 launch ("classified satellite")
1985-08-28: KH11-7 [failed]
United States1985-08-28Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Boudwin green and black rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH11-7 launch [failed]
1980-06-18: KH9-16 (and P801-6)
United States1980-06-18Vandenberg AFB, CA(Boudwin blue and black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverKH9-16 launch ("Big Bird"2)
United States1980-06-18Vandenberg AFB, CA(Space Voyage) cachet on coverKH9-16 launch ("Big Bird"2; "Program 467")
1986-04-18: KH9-20 (and Pearl Ruby) [failed]
United States1986-04-18Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Boudwin purple and green rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverKH9-20 launch [failed] ("secret...satellite")
1987-10-26: KH11-8
United States1987-10-26Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Boudwin green and blue printed and black typed, based on a Swanson rubber-stamp design) cachet on (airmail) coverKH11-8 launch ('C.I.A.")
2001-10-05: KH11-13 / NROL-14
United States2001-10-05Vandenberg AFB, Lompoc CA(SCP) cachet on coverKH11-13 (NROL-14) launch ("national security satellite")
2005-10-19: KH11-14 / NROL-20
United States2005-10-19Vandenberg AFB, CA(SCP) cachet on coverKH11-14 (NROL-20) launch
2011-01-20: KH11-15 / NROL-49
United States2011-01-20Vandenberg AFB, CA(Lollini) cachet on coverKH11-15 (NROL-49) launch
United States2011-01-20Vandenberg AFB, CA(Sarmiento) cachet on coverKH11-15 (NROL-49) launch ("classified payload")
2013-08-28: KH11-16 / NROL-65
United States2013-08-28Vandenberg AFB, CA(Sarmiento) cachet on coverKH11-16 (NROL-65) launch
2019-01-19: KH11-17 / NROL-71
Finland2018-12-18Kerava(SVP) cachet on coverKH11-17 (NROL-71) launch "scrubbed"
United States2019-01-19Vandenberg AFB, CA(Red Eagle) cachet on coverKH11-17 (NROL-71) launch ("classified satellite")
2021-04-26: KH11-18 / NROL-82
United States2021-04-26Vandenberg AFB, CA(JM) cachet on coverKH11-18 (NROL-82) launch ("highly secretive satellite mission")
United States2021-04-26Vandenberg AFB, CA(Galactic Space Covers) cachet on cover, also insertKH11-18 (NROL-82) launch ("classified mission")
United States2021-04-26Vandenberg AFB, CA(Ranski) cachet on coverKH11-18 (NROL-82) launch
KH12 / Ikon series (not yet declassified)
Keyhole (on other than Keyhole launch covers)
United States1989-08-08Houston TX(Colorano silk) cachet on STS-28R launch and SDS-2-1 deployment cover"KH-12"
United States2017-10-15Cape Canaveral FL(Mission 57) cachet on back of NROL-52 launch cover, also front"Keyhole optic and Lacrosse/Onyx radar reconnaissance satellite network"

1This Swanson blue rubber-stamp cachet has radial antennas like those on ESRO-2A.
2"Big Bird" was an unofficial or common name for the KH9/Hexagon series.
3Intelsat-3-3 and KH4B-6 and TACSAT-1 launches newspaper article.


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