Reconnaissance satellite

The techEdit

A reconnaissance satellite (AKA- a 'spy satellite', 'eaves dropping satellite' or 'spies in the skies system') is an orbiting Earth observation on to the planet's surface type space satellite or communications interception and/or dispersal satellite deployed for military or intelligence gathering and/or dispersal applications. The USA began drawing up the first plans for one in 1955 and the USSR started there own plans a year later.

Their rolesEdit

Some examples of reconnaissance satellite missions are:

• High resolution photography (IMINT).
• Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT).
• Communications eavesdropping (SIGINT).
• Covert communications.
• Monitoring of Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty compliance (by 'National Technical Means').
• Enforcing ceasefires by watching the movement of aircraft, armour and ships.
• Detection of missile launches.

Their typesEdit

1. Missile [Launching] Early warning provides warning of an attack by detecting ballistic missile launches. 
2. Nuclear explosion detection identifies and characterizes nuclear explosions in space. 
3. Photo surveillance has images taken of Earth so theycan be a survey or close-look telephoto is the earliest known. Spectral imaging is now commonplace.
4. Electronic-reconnaissance and Signals intelligence intercepts stray radio waves. 
5. Radar imaging use space-based radars use synthetic aperture radar to take scrimmages at night or through heavy fog and cloud cover.

Earth observation satellites' transmission frequencies Edit

ExamplesEdit

• KH-1 "Corona", C
• Zenit 2
• SAMOS F2-1
• OPS 5346 Rhyolite
• Vela 5A and 5B (satellite)
• SAR-Lupe
• Helios

Also seeEdit

1. Spy plane
2. Lockheed U-2
3. Reconnaissance aircraft
4. Secret service radio stations
5. Electromagnetic spectrum

On-line linksEdit

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconnaissance_satellite
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_observation_satellites_transmission_frequencies