Was "columbia" Photographed by a KH-11?

The orbits of the STS-1 flight and the KH-11 reconnaisance satellites are examined to determine if the KH-11s could have been used to inspect the Orbiter underside for tile damage. The orbital periods of the two DoD spacecraft were about a minute longer than the Orbiter's, while the altitudes were approximately 30-60 km higher. No orbital maneuvers were reported for the KH-11s, implying that any photography would have been performed solely as opportunities arose. The KH-11s follow near-polar orbits, while the STS-1 moved on a near-equatorial path. The 1978-60A KH-11 passed within 280, 263, 83, and 198 km of the Orbiter. The closest encounter, 83 km, would have lasted approximately 13 sec. Accurate imaging of the tiles through image motion compensation techniques would have exceeded the capabilities of the KH-11. It is therefore doubtful that the KH-11s were employed to inspect the Orbiter for tile damage.