4 ms·

Note that these 50cm image resolutions are limited by law, not technology. The US military of course has superior technology, and its resolution is unlikely to

Note that these 50cm image resolutions are limited by law, not technology. The US military of course has superior technology, and its resolution is unlikely to be limited by statute. The NRO Topaz satellites are the successful radar development of the two prong Future Imaging Architecture (the optical component failed, which was to be the successor to Keyhole [of which the Hubble Space Telescope is derived]) should be assumed to have capabilities far beyond those of this company. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_Imagery_Architecture https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_Imagery_Architecture https://www.space.com/23871-air-force-spy-satellite-launch-nrol39.html https://www.space.com/23871-air-force-spy-satellite-launch-n... https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/washington/11satellite.html https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/washington/11satellite.ht... ^ A very well put together long read from the Times on black world contracting chaos, exemplified by these satellites.

baybal2 6y ago
> Note that these 50cm image resolutions are limited by law, not technology. By physics, and computing power. For any stable circular orbit, a satellite can only fly that fast, and the radio window would only pass so much of radio spectrum.
- Drdrdrq 6y ago
  Except that they are only recording and transmitting data for a limited number of areas. Still a challenge though, I agree.
- unchocked 6y ago
  From the article, the 50cm resolution is by law. Physical limits also exist, and one presumes that military hardware is operating closer to them.
  - deleted 6y ago
    [deleted]
- marsokod 6y ago
  Capella's competitor Iceye has already achieved 25cm. Physics limitations are even lower than that. But you are right talking about computing power. SAR work in a very different way from optical imagery and data generation/processing is quite a huge difficulty.
  - baybal2 6y ago
    With free flying satellite SAR, the resolution is dependent on how fast the satellite can fly before it gets the return signal, and this is predetermined by orbital velocity.

baybal2 6y ago

> Note that these 50cm image resolutions are limited by law, not technology. By physics, and computing power. For any stable circular orbit, a satellite can only fly that fast, and the radio window would only pass so much of radio spectrum.

Drdrdrq 6y ago
Except that they are only recording and transmitting data for a limited number of areas. Still a challenge though, I agree.
unchocked 6y ago
From the article, the 50cm resolution is by law. Physical limits also exist, and one presumes that military hardware is operating closer to them.
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
marsokod 6y ago
Capella's competitor Iceye has already achieved 25cm. Physics limitations are even lower than that. But you are right talking about computing power. SAR work in a very different way from optical imagery and data generation/processing is quite a huge difficulty.
- baybal2 6y ago
  With free flying satellite SAR, the resolution is dependent on how fast the satellite can fly before it gets the return signal, and this is predetermined by orbital velocity.