Best Nro
The KH-9 Hexagon was a series of large photoreconnaissance satellites operated by the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) from 1971 to 1986. Often referred to as "Big Bird," it combined high-resolution mapping and surveillance photography into a single platform. The satellite utilized a film-ret...
Why this score?
Massive high-resolution film-return reconnaissance system with major intelligence value and technical sophistication.
Scoring methodology
Lacrosse 1, designated USA-31, was the first operational synthetic aperture radar (SAR) reconnaissance satellite operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office. It was launched into low Earth orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis during the STS-27 mission in December 1988. The spacec...
Why this score?
First US radar reconnaissance satellite, strategically important for all-weather imaging, though details remain partly classified.
Scoring methodology
