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Ask HN: Which is the most powerful satellite camera directed towards earth?

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Ask HN: Which is the most powerful satellite camera directed towards earth?

#1

Post by o2l »

Remember the scene from MIB where 'K' zooms in on his wife and watches her live. How close are we to that ?

After a quick search, I found a few videos which showed scenes of an area with some traffic activity but it wasn't that zoomed in. As far as images go, I haven't found any other image source providing a better definition image than what Google Maps provide.

The American government had used live satellite feed while carrying out the Bin Laden operation ( Source of Information: Documentary | Correct me if wrong ).

Are there any images/videos publicly available which demonstrate the limits of cameras in space directed towards earth ?

If not publicly available, can you describe how a possible image/video might look like and what are the current limits for those cameras ?

Re: Ask HN: Which is the most powerful satellite camera directed towards earth?

#4

Post by CapitalistCartr »

Satellites have had the ability to do that for decades. I was in the military during the Reagan administration and we would roll $weaponsystem under cover when the Russian satellites were passing over. They could see even small details such as which model it was.

But more resolution isn't what's important. Other capabilities, such as deep infrared, ultraviolet, radio, whatever scanning is more useful. Sats made U-2s, SR-71s mostly obsolete; drones are doing a lot of what Sats did. Top of the list though is refueling spy sats. That is the Holy Grail of reconnaisance which the USAF X-37B totally experimental research craft totally doesn't do.

Refueling massively extends their use and lifespan. Its like have twice as many for the money. Cuz, ya know, a hundred ain't enough.

Re: Ask HN: Which is the most powerful satellite camera directed towards earth?

#5

Post by edge17 »

CapitalistCartr wrote: post #4

Satellites have had the ability to do that for decades. I was in the military during the Reagan administration and we would roll $weaponsystem under cover when the Russian satellites were passing over. They could see even small details such as which model it was. But more resolution isn't what's important. Other capabilities, such as deep infrared, ultraviolet, radio, whatever scanning is more useful. Sats made U-2s,…

what does "refueling spy sat" mean? (I know nothing about satellite power sources)

Re: Ask HN: Which is the most powerful satellite camera directed towards earth?

#6

Post by jaggederest »

KH-11 had a theoretical resolution in the inches. "Not quite good enough to identify faces." Those were first launched in the seventies, so I assume they are doing much better now. I think it's safe to assume 5cm or better resolution on a minutely refresh.

Re: Ask HN: Which is the most powerful satellite camera directed towards earth?

#7

Post by CapitalistCartr »

edge17 wrote: post #5
CapitalistCartr wrote: post #4

Satellites have had the ability to do that for decades. I was in the military during the Reagan administration and we would roll $weaponsystem under cover when the Russian satellites were passing over. They could see even small details such as which model it was. But more resolution isn't what's important. Other capabilities, such as deep infrared, ultraviolet, radio, whatever scanning is more useful. Sats made U-2s,…

what does "refueling spy sat" mean? (I know nothing about satellite power sources)

The problem with spy sats is they orbit too low, so the suffer from drag in the trace atmosphere. Also, moving them in their orbit is super useful. Covers more, plus confusing the opposition as to their location. But it takes too much fuel. If you refuel them, both problems solved.

They have onboard fuel for "stationkeeping"; most low orbit sats do. That is keeping them in their proper orbit and attitude in spite of drag.

Re: Ask HN: Which is the most powerful satellite camera directed towards earth?

#9

Post by astrobase_go »

CapitalistCartr wrote: post #7
edge17 wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

what does "refueling spy sat" mean? (I know nothing about satellite power sources)

The problem with spy sats is they orbit too low, so the suffer from drag in the trace atmosphere. Also, moving them in their orbit is super useful. Covers more, plus confusing the opposition as to their location. But it takes too much fuel. If you refuel them, both problems solved. They have onboard fuel for "stationkeeping"; most low orbit sats do. That is keeping them in their proper orbit and attitude in spite of…

for those of you so inclined: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_station-keeping

Re: Ask HN: Which is the most powerful satellite camera directed towards earth?

#10

Post by jlgaddis »

I suspect the most powerful are classified NRO satellites. The public's knowledge is likely a decade or two behind actual capabilities.

I recall reading somewhere about satellites being able to see license plate numbers from space but I have no idea where I read that or if it's true.

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