To maximize coverage of the territory, the satellites were launched into a so-called lightning orbit.
The CIA has disclosed details of its top-secret JUMPSEAT program. It involved covert surveillance using spacecraft to monitor military sites located in the northern regions of the USSR from 1971 to 1987. For this purpose, the CIA deployed eight specialized reconnaissance satellites.
To maximize coverage of the USSR, the satellites were launched into a so-called lightning orbit, allowing them to remain there for extended periods to intercept electronic signals, monitor communications, and oversee weapon systems operations.
This refers to launching satellites into a highly elliptical orbit, which allowed one complete orbit around the Earth in 12 hours. At perigee, the satellite was at an altitude of 1,000 km, and at apogee — up to 40,000 km. The data collected was immediately transmitted to ground stations.
The program, developed by CIA and U.S. Air Force specialists, was also codenamed EARPOP. The first satellite was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1971, and over the next 16 years, seven more were launched. The last spacecraft, launched in 1987, operated until 2006.
JUMPSEAT was an undeniable success for U.S. intelligence agencies — particularly in realizing the idea of creating large reconnaissance satellite constellations, which remains relevant to this day. However, it should be noted that the publication of once top-secret information does not pose a threat to U.S. national security — many of its details will remain classified for a long time to come.
