What Can Spy Satellites Do

Spy satellite in orbit.

What can spy satellites do.

Since the satellites are in orbit they cannot hover over a given area or provide real time video. Explorer 1 was launched by us in 1958. A reconnaissance satellite or intelligence satellite commonly although unofficially referred to as a spy satellite is an earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications. But there are other kind of orbits which are much more useful for spy satellites like the molniya orbit an elliptic orbit that spy satellites can take to keep the northern hemisphere in view 22.

The goes geostationary satellites are about 23 000 statute miles above the equator and would require a telescope to see. Space is a battleground for dominance among major powers. Science modern spy satellites in an age of space wars. What isro s new spy satellite can do and how it can penetrate clouds with isro s launch of its new spy satellite theprint takes a look at risat 2b s functioning and use and how it will be affected by clouds.

Spy satellite can given clear skies and a good viewing angle probably read a license plate from space. Spy satellites are a special type of artificial satellites intended primarily for espionage purposes. Began developing spy satellites in the mid 1950s years before it had a rocket capable of placing anything in orbit. A united launch alliance delta iv heavy rocket carrying the nrol 44 spy satellites stands atop pad 37 of the cape canaveral air force station florida ahead of a planned launch on sept.

If you have a good viewing location away from large cities where the milky way would be visible for instance you can try to spot the noaa satellites. Optical image reconnaissance satellites use a charge coupled device ccd to gather images that make up a digital photograph for transmission back to earth from an altitude of about 200 miles. It can t be a coincidence. A russian satellite made a series of maneuvers in late january to get closer to a u s.

Historical background the very first artificial satellite ever was launched by russia in 1957 it was known as sputnik 1. Corona midas samos the u s. You can think of a kh satellite as a gigantic orbiting digital camera with an incredibly huge lens on it.