Threats posed by promising orbital US electronic reconnaissance systems
top view
Despite the fact that the first artificial Earth satellite (AES) PS-1 was launched by the USSR on October 4, 1957, the first reconnaissance satellite was launched by the USA on February 28, 1959 - it became the Discoverer photo-reconnaissance satellite, developed under the CORONA program, this date marked the end an era when an independent power could by force prevent reconnaissance over its territory - the jurisdiction of nation states does not extend to outer space.
By the way, the first Soviet photo-reconnaissance satellite, the Zenit, appeared only five years later - the Americans have always been more practical in terms of using outer space for military purposes. Since then, the number of “eyes in the sky” has rapidly increased, now before our eyes a real revolution is taking place in the exploration of outer space, but, unfortunately, it does not bring anything good for us yet.
The evolution of American photo reconnaissance satellites
In the material Elon Musk is building a Star Shield: SpaceX is forming a new constellation of Starshield satellites commissioned by the Pentagon The US deployment of the latest intelligence, command and communications (RUS) system, which in the future may well be supplemented by a strike echelon, was considered. The creation of the Starshield system is proceeding very quickly, in addition, within the framework of the above material, a number of other projects of orbital constellations for various purposes, deployed by US public and private structures, are listed.
In comments to articles about the enemy’s deployment of one or another orbital constellation and its use against our country, there are usually calls to immediately start shooting down their satellites, but, unfortunately, everything is not so simple. The author is a convinced supporter of the need to strike hard and cruel blows to our real enemies - the United States and European countries, since they will not stop supplying weapon, killing our fellow citizens until they themselves begin to die, and not in the form of mercenaries and “advisers” on the territory of Ukraine, but wherever possible, without any restrictions on the “type of targets,” including on its territory.
It is possible and necessary sink their ships, strike military bases and industrial facilities, shoot down planes and derail trains. However, we must do this not directly, but using “proxy” formations, cynically denying involvement or hiding behind the crafty formulation “we can neither confirm nor deny...”.
Well, we cannot shoot down American satellites now, since we are not in a state of war with them, not even declared, and if we move into this phase, then it will be a completely different story.
Our reality is “no peace, no war,” and we will have to exist in this reality.
We can potentially cause some damage to them, for example, in the material Project Anxiety: Disrupt Starlink Satellites Without Destroying Them we considered the concept of a spacecraft (SV) moving in an orbit as close as possible to the orbit of Starlink satellites, so that they could carry out evasive maneuvers, thereby reducing their resource, but this is not opposition, but rather anxiety. However, other methods of covertly damaging enemy satellites and satellites may be considered, but that is not the topic today.
There are three main types of reconnaissance from space:
- radio reconnaissance (RTR);
- radar reconnaissance (RLR);
- optical reconnaissance in the visible and thermal wavelength ranges.
RTR assets can be placed in both high orbits and low ones, which significantly affects the capabilities they provide.
RTR satellites in geostationary orbit
During the Cold War, huge and expensive American RTR satellites belonging to the US military and intelligence services were launched into geostationary orbit. They are present there now, in our time.
The estimated appearance of the American geostationary satellite RTR Orion (also known as Mentor or Advanced Orion) weighing over 5200 kilograms and an antenna diameter of about 100 meters
It can be assumed that they were and are mainly engaged in listening to a limited number of high-priority radio communication channels or the activity of any large objects, such as air bases, naval bases or spaceports. It is unlikely that RTR satellites located in geostationary orbit can detect and track individual radar stations, radars from anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) or tactical-level radio communications. It is also unlikely to be possible to determine the exact location of a particular signal from geostationary orbit, at least not quickly.
In other words, PTP satellites located in high orbits pose a familiar and limited threat to us; low-orbit RTR satellites are a different matter.
The sensitivity of RTR means is quite high: just remember that anyone can contact a person located on the other side of the planet through the “ancient” analog communication satellites SATCOM, owned by the US Navy, located in geostationary orbit at an altitude of about 35-40 thousand kilometers, while civilian radios with a power of 4-5 watts and simple antennas with circular polarization are sufficient for communication.
Modern electronic reconnaissance equipment is attractive because it has relatively small dimensions and weight, as well as energy consumption. In particular, RTR equipment is often sold in the form of a container installed on tactical aircraft aviation, however, in this case they should be located at a relatively short distance from the detected signal - several tens to hundreds of kilometers, that is, they are quite suitable for placement in low orbits.
RTR satellites in low orbit
Recently, more and more low-orbit satellites have been created that provide communication with extremely compact terminals located on the surface of the Earth, for example, smart watches. Moreover, satellites have appeared that are capable of communicating directly from space with ordinary smartphones, without the need to install any satellite communication modems in them, while the maximum radiation power of a modern smartphone does not exceed several watts. One can imagine the capabilities of modern PTP equipment located in low orbit in terms of detecting radiation from radars with their transmitters with a power of tens to hundreds of kilowatts. And army radio stations with tens of watts of power also most likely will not be able to avoid detection of satellites with RTR equipment.
Previously, the author suggested that, given the “tender friendship” of the Pentagon and the SpaceX company, RTR equipment can already be installed on Starlink satellites. Considering the number of Starlink network satellites in orbit, this would give the United States a colossal amount of data on all sources of electromagnetic radiation on the surface of the planet and in the air, with the ability to determine their coordinates by triangulation.
Starlink satellites could be full of surprises
Even if this is not the case, then with a high probability RTR equipment will be integrated into the satellites of the Starshield military network, created on the basis of Starlink technical solutions. Presumably, the Starshield network will include fewer satellites - hundreds versus thousands (or even tens of thousands), but still large enough to provide 24/365 real-time control of most of the planet.
Taken together, all these means most likely now allow the US Armed Forces to detect radars, including air defense systems and aircraft radars. With a high probability, the enemy also detects radio communications, and communications that do not have encryption can potentially be tapped. Starshield satellites must operate in real time, that is, the RTR equipment installed on them will potentially be able to track even flying aircraft with the radar turned on, not to mention ground and surface objects.
Conclusions
What does this give the enemy?
This gives him the ability to plot flight routes for Ukrainian low-flying air attack weapons, such as cruise missiles (CR) and kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), bypassing Russian air defense systems, as well as issuing target designations for certain radio-emitting targets - radar communications. The ability to inform the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) to launch strikes with high-speed airborne missiles moving along a high-altitude trajectory at a time when Russian radars are not functioning due to a malfunction or for maintenance.
By transmitting information to the Ukrainian Armed Forces about the operation of the radars of our fighters and long-range radar detection and control aircraft (AWACS), the United States minimizes the likelihood of the destruction of Ukrainian planes and helicopters. On the other hand, this allows Ukrainian air defense systems use ambush tactics to hunt Russian planes and helicopters.
The installation of electronic intelligence equipment on the huge number of military satellites that the United States wants to place in low orbits, combined with their real-time operation, will provide the United States with unprecedented capabilities to monitor sources of electromagnetic radiation over much of the planet. A special feature of RTR means is that it is possible to determine the very fact of their operation only indirectly, based on certain actions of the enemy.
It remains to be understood how we can counteract the enemy’s low-orbit RTR systems.
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