What are the types of reconnaissance satellites?

There are four types of military reconnaissance satellites in terms of performance.

①Photographic reconnaissance satellite. Its equipment is mainly visible light cameras, including panoramic scanning cameras for census and frame cameras for detailed surveys. Some of the photos taken by satellites are sealed in the recovery cabin and sent directly back to the ground for processing and interpretation. There are only three countries in the world that have mastered this technology. In order to prevent the recovery capsule from falling into the hands of others, a self-explosion device will be installed on it to blow up after the specified time. Another method is radio transmission, which is to automatically develop the photos taken on the satellite, then convert the target image into an electrical signal, send it to the ground in the form of radio waves, and then restore it to the target image. Some photographic reconnaissance satellites are equipped with television cameras, which can send information to the ground command center while conducting reconnaissance of ground targets, which is faster and easier.

② Electronic reconnaissance satellite. Equipped with reconnaissance receivers and tape recorders, it is mainly used to detect the location and frequency of radars and military radio stations. Sometimes it also intercepts telemetry signals emitted during missile tests to understand the development of the opponent's strategic weapons. Electronic reconnaissance satellites are superior and safer than other electronic reconnaissance means. Their weakness is that when there are too many ground radars or radio stations and the signals are too dense and complex, it is difficult to filter out truly useful information, and they are easily deceived and interfered by false signals. If the ground radar and radio are temporarily shut down, it can also avoid its detection.

③Missile early warning satellite. Used to guard against missile attacks. Intercontinental missiles fly fast, have high trajectories, and have long ranges. They can reach targets 8,000 to 13,000 kilometers away in about 30 minutes after launch.

④Ocean surveillance satellite. Designed to monitor the activities of surface ships and underwater submarines. Such satellites equipped with electronic reconnaissance equipment are no different from electronic reconnaissance satellites; those equipped with radar equipment can actively search for targets and find targets without relying on signals transmitted by the other party. Foreign countries are experimenting with ocean surveillance satellites equipped with infrared detectors, and it is envisaged that they can detect nuclear submarines 60 meters deep underwater from an altitude of several hundred miles.

Reconnaissance system

Space reconnaissance satellites, low-altitude and high-altitude manned and unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, ground sensors, high-magnification telescopes, artillery-launched televisions, especially numerous The radars all over the land, navy and air force, etc., are really like weaving a dragnet, desperately trying to capture every information that can be captured.

Reconnaissance technology has developed into a complex technical system today.

From a military perspective, it can be divided into strategic reconnaissance and tactical reconnaissance. Or it can be divided into preparation for long-term goals, such as accumulating materials and collecting them bit by bit; and intelligence collection for specific current goals in the near future.

If divided by space region, there are ground reconnaissance, aerial reconnaissance, space reconnaissance, and underwater reconnaissance.

In terms of technical means, they generally include electromagnetic wave reconnaissance, acoustic reconnaissance, mechanical reconnaissance, etc. Broken down, there is only electromagnetic wave reconnaissance, and there are also optical photographic reconnaissance, multispectral reconnaissance, night reconnaissance, radar reconnaissance, and sensor reconnaissance.