ABSTRACT
In the satellite field the super-powers enjoy an almost total monopoly, particularly in reconnaissance and surveillance systems for military purposes. In addition to reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, satellites are used for communications, early warning, navigation, atmospheric surveillance, and could be used offensively against enemy satellites. As most military satellites are in fixed orbits, interception would not be difficult, but interference with any satellites in orbit in peacetime would be a dangerous and provocative act. America’s reconnaissance and surveillance satellite capability is constantly being improved and the current series known as ‘Big Bird’ provides both radio transmission and photographic intelligence information. Reconnaissance satellites were originally designed for keeping watch on static installations, such as missile sites, but they are coming to be used more and more for tactical reconnaissance. Suppose that a reconnaissance satellite detects by radar an object on the sea which was not there when it last passed over the area.
