As with the secretive X-37B spaceplane program—and most other military programs for that matter—very little is known about the KH-11 series of reconnaissance satellites. They can monitor areas in real time if there's a satellite overhead, and the cloud cover/weather permits it. The initial satellites to be launched were named Discoverer and were used to observe the Earth and take pictures. Can an exiting US president curtail access to Air Force One from the new president? Just another example that privacy is dead. http://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/04/07/president-approves-new-satellite-system/. Are nano diamond batteries a breakthrough in battery technology? You can sign in to vote the answer. I don't know but it's kind of scary to think about. Are low-spec computer parts just faulty high-spec computer parts? It also tracks all your movement. And on what scale? I presume that these resolutions imply a stationary object? They have an imaging resolution of 5-6 inches, which means they can see something 5 inches or larger on the ground. Spy satellites can pick up infrared and ultraviolet as well. The can read cigarette packs. By Sarah Parcak Dr. Parcak is an archaeologist and remote-sensing expert. For most applications we need to see larger areas, which requires other satellites that observe at a different scale. In April, a satellite will be launched with 16-inch resolution. site design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. I'm not certain that is feasible with current technology. Can an electron and a proton be artificially or naturally merged to form a neutron? The first project was known as Weapon System 117L. Military satellites -- mostly for reconnaissance, ... "If the satellite can see less than 0.3 meters, the satellite will be deemed illegal or only usable by the defense industry. Source: Satellites System Overview Articles. This isn't really an answer to the question, which is specifically about the capabilities of satellites. Get your answers by asking now. I'd be a bit suprised if our best optics of today had that capability, let alone soviet technology of that era. By BRYAN BENDER . A few non-military satellites can see objects down to about half the size of a car. So if you're up to something, you might want to stay indoors. The first formal military satellite projects were made and launched in the US in the 1950s. What are the odds of an upcoming cival war? Around the world, military operations are increasingly using commercial satellites to accomplish their missions. Using publicly available information, the best resolution we can see is around this level: You can see individual cars, so you can track cars, but people are basically dots with very little distinguishing features. Satellites can shoot with infrared and other cameras that operate in other parts of the light spectrum. What are the earliest inventions to store and release energy (e.g. They're probably watching us, as we speak! The real answer you're looking for is classified. same with the satellites. In the Navy, what will engineering and a second language get me? The US military uses a system which is noted on wikipedia called the NIIRS. Langbroek was asked about what foreign military satellites might have observed the firing of that missile. This is the night view NOAA20 (formerly JPSS1) will be able to see as it looks down at Earth, but can you see a satellite if you look up at the night sky? Some military satellites can still see even smaller things. And smoke, haze, smog or clouds would all reduce the quality of the resolution, as would the distance required to see the license plate from an angle. Astronomers have determined it likely came from USA 224, a K-11 spy satellite. Tighter resolutions let analysts see details that allow them to accurately identify missiles and other targets. They can monitor areas in real time if there's a satellite overhead, and the cloud cover/weather permits it. http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2001/JeannelleLouis.shtml, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3077885/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/spy-satellites-enter-new-dimension/, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomical_interferometer, Universe Today: Thanks to Trump, We’ve Got a Better Idea of the Capabilities of US Surveillance Satellites, Scott Manley: What A Tweet Tells Us About US Spy Satellites, http://www.iipl.fudan.edu.cn/~zhangjp/publications/ICME2009.pdf. (Resolution of a Spy Satellite, The Physics Factbook™; Edited by Glenn Elert -- Written by his students). But they probably regularly change the schedule. Results are shown starting from the evening of the selected date. (Photo Included). Data: According to an estimate by the private Federation of American Scientists (FAS), three satellites operated by the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) have resolutions as sharp as 10 centimeters (3.93 inches) -- in other words, the satellites can discern a softball-sized object from several hundred miles away. I don't think it too far fetched to say that image resolution technology and optics have come a long way since the 80's, though there are undoubtedly physical and other constraints, I would think if they are not currently able to reading license plates size lettering they are pretty damn close. Select any Military satellite listed to learn additional details, perform live tracking or see satellite's passes visible from your location. It is probably the most current book on wide area persistent surveillance (WAPS). http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22046019/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/us-plans-next-gen-spy-satellite-program/. 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