Reconnaissance Satellites

Presented by: Syed Afraaz (17103085)

Reconnaissance Satellites:
• Reconnaissance satellites or commonly known as spy satellites are earth observation satellite designated to
specific areas usually deployed for military or intelligence purposes.

• These satellites are designated to specific areas of interest and would provide constant surveillance while
going undetected.

• The functions of a reconnaissance satellite can be diverse, ranging from taking photographs of enemy
grounds to intercepting their fumctions. The further functions of said recon satellites are mentioned.

• While the specifications and the data collected by the satellite remail classified, plethora of classified data has
either been leaked, or declassified for us to extrapolate the nature of the satellites and draw conclusions.
Functions of a Reconnaissance satellite:
• The functions of recon/spy satellites are but not limited to:

1. Missile Early Warning: Provides warning of an attack by detecting ballistic or Inter Continental Ballistic Missile
launches.

2. Nuclear Explosion Detection: Differentiates and identifies nuclear explosions based off of radiation in space. Can
characterize both nuclear fission and thermonuclear fusion type of nuclear bombs.

3. Electronic Reconnaissance: Intercepts and decodes signals such as stray radio waves as they are the primary means of
communication.

4. Imaging Surveillance: Provides imaging of earth from space. Used to monitor contested enemy grounds or simply the
movement of enemy troops, artillery etc.

5. Radar Surveillance: Similar to imaging surveillance but can be used through night cover and cloud cover.
Defense Support Program:
• It is a program involving constellations of reconnaissance satellites operated by the United States Air Force.
• A total of 23 satellites were launched in five blocks.
• The operational period being from 1970-2007.
Defense Support Program:

• The satellites are placed in geosynchronous orbits, and then used for selective tracking of missiles(ICBMs

and other rocket launches) in areas with high profile threats.

• DSP satellites are launched using Titan IV-B boosters. However one satellite DSP-16 was launched by the

Space Shuttle Atlantis.

• The last known DSP satellite was launched by the Delta IV Heavy rocket in 2007.
Specifications:
• Mission: Strategic and Tactical Missile Launch detection
• Weight: 5250 lb(2380 kg)
• Orbit Altitude : 35,900 km
• Operation Period : 1970-2007
• Height : 32.8ft(10m) on orbit, 28ft (8.5m) on launch
• Diameter : 22ft (6.7m) on orbit, 13.7ft (4.2m) on launch.
• Predecessor: MIDAS (Missile Defence Alarm System)
• Successor: SBIRS (Space Based Infrared System)
• Sensors : Infrared Sensors operating through a wide angle Schmidt camera