4 ms·
Since neither the article nor the comments here mention this: it is not at all clear that the launched object was a satellite. In fact, the available evidence
by jpatokal 11y ago
Since neither the article nor the comments here mention this: it is not at all clear that the launched object was a satellite. In fact, the available evidence -- including the fact that no transmissions have ever been detected from this or its three predecessors -- points towards it being an intercontinental ballistic missile test, and the "satellite" is just a cover story.
And there's precedent too: the Kwangmyongsong-1 deorbited almost immediately, but the launch was still hailed in the NK press as a total success, up to and including broadcasting songs extolling the virtues of Kims.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwangmy%C5%8Fngs%C5%8Fng-1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwangmy%C5%8Fngs%C5%8Fng-1
- viraptor 11y ago> the fact that no transmissions have ever been detected from this or its three predecessors May not be true. KMS-2 supposedly played some songs for us. But wikipedia is not certain. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwangmy%C5%8Fngs%C5%8Fng-2#The_satellite https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwangmy%C5%8Fngs%C5%8Fng-2#The...
- 13of40 11y agoIt would be hilarious if it just started broadcasting propaganda at 99.9 Mhz.
- ars 11y agoWhat's at 99.9? Just regular FM?
- viraptor 11y agoYes. Then again, you don't have to be a crazy president to do something like that. If I had spare money to build ($?) and launch ($8k http://www.gizmag.com/tubesat-personal-satellite/22211/ http://www.gizmag.com/tubesat-personal-satellite/22211/) a satellite which just circles the world and beams down nyan cat song at standard FM, I'd definitely do that.
- mseebach 11y agoCommercial FM transmitters routinely have outputs on the order of several kW, and have ranges in the low hundred kilometres. The lowest low earth orbit is 160 km, TubeSats are in 320 km orbits. I doubt you could fit enough PV cells on a TubeSat to power a FM transmitter that could be heard on earth with standard equipment.
- viraptor 11y agoI guess it's a question of what's the squelch level in retail radios. It's FM modulation, so it doesn't have to be very strong - just high enough above the noise level. Also local transmitters are either omnidirectional, or it's a few wide-angle antennas that need to send the signal over hills / through buildings, etc. From space you could easily do only ~20 degrees and there's practically nothing in your way. For comparison, LEO weather satellites send data at around 6-7W (not kW).