Spy satellites Introduction The art of coding and decoding of photographs didnt change a lot since World War II. Yet, the technology of getting photos as well as their delivery to the planet has changed a lot. A special matrix is used by scientists instead of a regular film. The broadband link, which allows to getting data pictures within the time scale, is widely used instead of long procedure of accumulation and delivery of material. Besides, top secret technologies of exploring used by counterspies are widely used by commercial structures. The space data pictures with high resolution of 0.8m (QuickBird), 1m (IKONOS) and 1.8m (EROS-A1) can be available to the wide range of audience.
The government usually uses the services provided by the companies specialized in space exploring. No wonder that spy-satellites are usually used for military-political aims. The aim of this essay is to examine the spy-satellites and their use in everyday governmental practice (especially in law enforcement) as well as their use in future. The Anatomy of Spy Satellites According to Wikipedia Website (n.p.), a spy-satellite (also known as a reconnaissance satellite or recon satellite) is the Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications. First satellites were used to make photos of space. After they took photographs, they ejected the photo-films in special cans into the air and were caught by scientists in mid-air as the films were floating down on specially constructed parachutes.
The Term Paper on Analysis of Stanley Kubrick’s Influence as a Film Maker
"A film is - or should be - more like music than like fiction. It should be a progression of moods and feelings. The theme, what's behind the emotion, the meaning, all that comes later" (Stanley Kubrick)Director Stanley Kubrick was born within the confines of New York on the 26th of July 1928. The son of a physician, he began his career at the relatively young age of 16 when he began working as a ...
The first of the U.S. series of “keyhole” spy satellites, called Corona, Argon and Lanyard, were built at the height of the Cold War, beginning in 1960. All three snapped thousands of high-resolution photos until 1972. (Sky Spy, n.p.).
Corona satellites had resolution 7.5m, 2.75m, 1.8m and focal length 0.6m. These were the first series of spy sats with photographs returned by film canister ejection (Wikipedia, n.p.) Spy satellites usually have negative meaning. In the United States information about reconnaissance satellite is mainly available up to 1972. All other information is considered a top-secret.
There are several missions of spy satellites: communications eavesdropping (SIGINT) enforcement of nuclear test bans; high resolution photography (IMINT); cover communications (HUMINT); detection of missile launches (Wikipedia, n.p.).
There are several types of spy satellites created by the US constructors: Lacrosse/Onyx, Misty/Zirconic, Samos (resolution 30 to 1.5m and focus length 0.7 to 1.83m. Most of them used radio to relay the photographs), Quasar, Vela, to mention a few. Politicians usually claim that spy satellites can be considered the attempt of control from the side of our government. It is a control at a top modern technical level. Spy satellites can be used also to control the activities of other governments and their military forces.
Spy satellites can be used in future to keep order at the territory and military borders. Besides, they can be used to control certain citizens. As any supporter of privacy and freedoms of people, guaranteed by our Constitution, I am glad that such possibility exists only in ambitious plans and fantastic films. Spy satellites remind me the paradox of human nature. The satellites are equipped by corresponding materials and technical equipment to record and transfer the information collected. Besides, they are specially constructed for maximal secretive mode of observation: certain shape, size, surface, etc. Spy satellites can be used in future for the law enforcement. Yet, there are some limitations of their use.
The Essay on American Heritage Nation Government Citizen
"Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It " Our Country was founded on sound principles. These principles were constructed to preserve our natural rights. These rights include free speech, free press and the ability to think for one's self. America was established as a proud nation, who's destiny to become great was undeniable. In today's society, many are questioning the ...
For example, the satellites are too expensive and will not be able to record the data concerning many people at once. However, the legal shadowing is allowed only by court decision. In such a way, the usage of spy satellites will violate our Constitution as well as the Bill of Human Rights. No one can guarantee that such satellites will never be used for commercial and industrial espionage. From the point of totalitarian government spy satellites can be examined as an absolute advantage for all conscious citizens of the country. The citizens, in such a way, have to put the security of government above all prejudices and personal freedom issues.
The total espionage is presented as the absolute necessary measure to provide the citizens with protection and security. However, the advantage of using these top-modern top-secret spy technologies is quite doubtful and can be expressed by the words: Farewell to privacy. Yet, the attempts to explain usage of spy satellites to protect our government and the citizens are easy to understand. The dangerous situation in relation to the events of September 11 and further warfare American-style should guarantee safety to the US citizens. It is not always possible to trek the menace and to undertake appropriate measures in time. Besides, in remote locations thats also not always possible.
Spy satellites can produce the high-resolution satellite photography. Commercial US Space imaging companies conclude contracts with the US government. For example, under the NIMA contract, the Pentagon, for at least $2 million a month (and perhaps more), has purchased all time that the satellite is over Afghanistan, which means no one else can hire Space Imaging to take pictures of the war zone. (Corn 6).
Besides, the satellites are also used for peaceful aims. They can also track the regions changing landscape.
The Countryside Council for Wales has become the first agency in Wales to draw on technology developed by the British National Space Centre (BNSC).
The Essay on Technology And Media
Margaret Engel and others believe that video satellite phones, and successor technologies based on more traditional mobile-phone networks, may be as liberating a force in journalism as the Internet has been.These technologies have made it possible for the average person to act as their own personal camera crew and reporter. It puts the power of the media in the hands of people worldwide. Are these ...
(Daily Post 10).
The technology uses data ad photography taken from the Landsat satellite. The images are used to cross-check the existing maps of the Berwyn mountains (Daily Post 10).
The UK government considers the potential benefits to be significant. Using space information can bring big advantages.
The satellites are quick and the images give the opportunity to see the lands from space, and, in such a way, provide a new way of revealing the dynamic changes that are taking place to [our] landscape. (Daily Post 10).
Despite the shock concerning spy satellites, they are widely used. Such satellites exist not only in the US and the countries of former USSR, but also such well-developed countries as China, Israel, etc. All spy satellites differ by their tactic-technical features but all of them use almost similar technologies. The satellites are constantly perfected and improved by governmental scientists. New features become available, such as the radio calls intercepting, to mention a few. The era of spy satellites seems to begin.
Kenneth Silber considers that a new generation of spy satellites planned by the U.S. government’s secretive National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) will consist of smaller, more numerous satellites than the current generation of “spies in the sky.” National Reconnaissance Office had awarded a contract to a Boeing-led team to create the next generation of spy satellites. NRO currently owns three electro-optical satellites that capture visible-light or infrared images, and two radar satellites that can see through clouds or in darkness (Silber n.p.).
Some satellites are able to eavesdrop on radio communications and control the electronic signals of other systems or warships. Future spy-satellites are likely to consist of electro-optical satellites as well as small radar satellites. The aim of National Reconnaissance Office will be to reduce the cost of spy-satellites and to make all efforts to launch cheaper and smaller reconnaissance sats.
Bibliography:
Corn, D.
(2001).
Their Spy in the Sky. The Nation. Vol. 273, issue 17. November 26, 2001.
The Nation Company L.P. Going Wild for Spy in the Sky; Space Technology Helps to Track Welsh Wildlife. Daily Post. September 6, 2004. MGN Ltd. Silber, K. Analysts Expect Spy Satellite Number to Increase.
The Essay on What Is The Influence Of Interpersonal Conflict In Our Daily Lives And How To Solve It Harmoniously
Interpersonal conflict is one of the most common situations we will face in our daily lives with our family members, relatives, friends or lover. Interpersonal conflict is often the result of negative cognitions, or thoughts. There is one way of defining interpersonal communication that is to compare it to other forms of communication. In doing so, we would examine how many people are involved, ...
September 1999. Retrieved December 5, 2005. Sky Spy. Boulevards New Media. April 16-22, 1998 issue of Metro. Retrieved December 5, 2005.
Wikipedia Website. Spy Satellites. Retrieved December 5, 2005. .
