Aquacade (satellite)

Aquacade / Rhyolite
Country of origin United States
OperatorNational Reconnaissance Office
Central Intelligence Agency
National Security Agency
ApplicationsEspionage
Specifications
Launch mass700 kilograms (1,500 lb)
RegimeGeostationary
Production
Built4
Launched4
Maiden launch19 June 1970
Last launch7 April 1978

Aquacade, previously designated Rhyolite, was a class of SIGINT spy satellites operated by the National Reconnaissance Office for the United States Central Intelligence Agency. The National Security Agency (NSA) was also reportedly involved. The program, also known by SIGAD AFP-720 and SIGAD AFP-472, respectively, is still classified. During the same period, the Canyon SIGINT satellites were in use with an apparently somewhat different set of capabilities.