- Ka-band
- Radio frequency band spanning 26.5-40 GHz. Offers high bandwidth for broadband satellite services (e.g., LEO constellations) but is susceptible to rain fade attenuation.
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- KC-46 Pegasus
- US next-generation aerial refuelling tanker based on Boeing 767. Supports boom and drogue refuelling for multiservice and allied operations. Replacing KC-135 fleet.
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- KDF — Key Derivation Function
- A cryptographic function deriving keys from a secret used to secure communication links.
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- Kepler — Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion
- Three empirical laws (1609–1619): orbits are ellipses with the central body at one focus; equal areas in equal times; T² ∝ a³. Set the foundation Newton later derived from gravity. Kepler's equation M = E − e·sin E links time to position.
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- Keplerian Elements
- The six classical orbital elements (a, e, i, RAAN, argument of perigee, true anomaly) that uniquely describe a satellite's orbit and position at a given epoch.
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- Kerberos
- A network authentication protocol using symmetric cryptography and a trusted third-party (the Key Distribution Center) to authenticate clients and servers without transmitting passwords. Foundation of Windows Active Directory authentication and many Unix SSO deployments.
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- DiagramTry it: Cyber Warfare Guide
- Kessler Syndrome
- A theoretical cascading chain reaction of orbital debris collisions that exponentially increases debris density, potentially rendering certain orbital regimes unusable.
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- KIA — Killed in Action
- A casualty status for personnel who die as a direct result of enemy action.
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- Kigali Principles
- Pledges adopted in 2015 establishing that peacekeepers have a right and obligation to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence. Named after Rwanda where failure to protect occurred in 1994. Shifts doctrine from passive observation to proactive civilian protection.
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- DiagramTry it: Ootw Guide Simulator
- Kill Chain
- A sequenced model of the steps an adversary must complete to achieve an objective — originally Lockheed Martin's F2T2EA (Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, Assess) and Cyber Kill Chain (Recon → Weaponise → Deliver → Exploit → Install → C2 → Actions).
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- DiagramTry it: Joint Ops GuideTry it: Modern Warfare GuideTry it: Defense Breakthrough Guide+1 more
- KMS — Key Management Service
- Centralised service that generates, rotates, and authorises use of cryptographic keys (AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, Google Cloud KMS, HashiCorp Vault). Keys never leave the service; callers request encrypt/decrypt operations under authenticated policy.
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- Diagram
- Kouzes-Posner — Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership
- James Kouzes & Barry Posner's research-based leadership model from The Leadership Challenge: model the way, inspire a shared vision, challenge the process, enable others to act, encourage the heart. Backed by the 30-item LPI assessment.
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- Diagram
- Kp — Planetary K-index
- Geomagnetic activity index (0-9). Kp≥5 indicates a geomagnetic storm affecting drag and comms.
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- Kp Index
- Planetary geomagnetic activity index on a logarithmic 0–9 scale, updated every 3 hours from 13 mid-latitude magnetometer stations. Kp ≥ 5 indicates geomagnetic storm; Kp 8–9 triggers spacecraft safe-mode and HF blackout warnings.
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- 2D animationTry it: Space Environment Effects GuideTry it: Space Fundamentals Guide
- KPP — Key Performance Parameter
- A critical performance attribute of a defense system that must be met for the system to be considered operationally effective and suitable. Failure to meet a KPP is grounds for program termination.
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- DiagramTry it: Waterfall Test GuideTry it: Ttps Guide
- KSA — Key System Attribute
- A system performance attribute considered important but below the threshold of a key performance parameter.
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- KSA (Assessment) — Key System Attribute
- Important system performance characteristics that merit attention but are not as critical as Key Performance Parameters. Tracked throughout acquisition but with more flexibility in thresholds.
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- KSAT — Kongsberg Satellite Services
- Norwegian ground station operator with polar stations at Svalbard, Troll, and Tromsø.
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- KTS — Knots
- A unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour, used for vessels and wind.
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- Ku-band
- Radio frequency band spanning 12-18 GHz. Widely used for direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television, VSAT, and satellite news gathering.
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- Kuiper
- Amazon's planned 3,236-satellite LEO broadband constellation across 3 altitude shells (590, 610, 630 km). FCC licence requires 50% deployed by July 2026. First production launch April 2025.
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