Simcountry
Forum Suggestions Spy satellites

Spy satellites

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Luciferous

All worlds
25 Feb 2021 01:00Link
Reduce the range of long range radar planes and add spy satellites.
Satellites would have no range limits and never sustain damage. You'd require a space center before you could buy the satellite. This would increase the use of space centers and add a cool new product to the space industry. It would also make space centers a target during war, adding a dimension to the war game and ensuring players keep a couple of long rang radar planes in reserve and defend their space centers.

Thoughts anyone?
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Displacer Beast

All worlds
26 Feb 2021 14:27Link
The real world physics of spy satellites is much less glamorous than you'd think.

A Satellite in Geostationary orbit will provide "Surveillance" 24/7 Which is ideal, but only if the location your observing is on or near the equator.

Unfortunately the height of the orbit is so great that you cant really get good photographs of small objects on a clear sunny day. You might make out exceptionally large structures but that's about it for current camera technology.

Radar could work but it's also easily countered and there are far better options for deploying radar surveillance, specifically radar aircraft.

So put up a bigger better camera right? Well, Simply put you'd need a satellite with a camera lens roughly the size of a football field for it to work. Technically possible but it has not been done in the real world for logistical and maintenance reasons as there are far FAR better options.
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Luciferous

All worlds
26 Feb 2021 19:12Link
Lol cameras. Did you get this information from the 1950's? It's all MASINT, SIGINT and radar imaging these days.
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Displacer Beast

All worlds
26 Feb 2021 22:23Link
The physics involved in orbital dynamics and optics have not magically changed over time. And as I said, there are more cost effective methods that we already have in game.


There are many reasons why spy satellites are not a prominent thing. Don't get me wrong they DO exist but there not a device for primary intelligence gathering like your thinking.

Wiretapping, covert agents. Recon ops Static radar installations, sonar buoy's Spy/radar planes. Far far cheaper and more effective options

Satellites are extremely expensive high profile objects. Orbital planes are documented and regulated internationally. Bad things happen when you don't, read up on Kessler Syndrome.

What makes more sense?

Put up a multi billion dollar satellite cluster with a finite mission viability, will get poor time over target only able to briefly take radar snapshots of targets that may or may not be high profile dependin
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Luciferous

All worlds
26 Feb 2021 22:54Link
You're conflating the tactical elements of warfare with strategic. An Apache or Reaper can locate armour on the battlefield but is useless for gauging an enemy strength before a war is even declared.
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Displacer Beast

All worlds
26 Feb 2021 23:15Link
It nevertheless is intelligence gathering. Its not always about the grand scheme especially in the skirmish warfare this game depicts.

The open skies treaty was a mutual agreement that involved many nations to allow each other to fly surveillance aircraft over each other not satellites.

Personally I don't care I don't play the PVP and you'll probably use that as an excuse to say nothing I've said matters.

The point is, its unrealistic and I've said my peace.