4 ms·
Interesting thought. I would say something like the hubble transcends politcal/governmental boundaries... although I do wonder how much if its software is used
by recov 5y ago
Interesting thought. I would say something like the hubble transcends politcal/governmental boundaries... although I do wonder how much if its software is used in other secretive satellites.
- jandrese 5y agoHubble is basically a repurposed spy satellite so it may still be sensitive. Although I doubt any of its sisters are still flying.
- rurban 5y agoOn the contrary I doubt that the US military would give up advanced imaging technology, like reading car plates from space, for nothing. That's the Hubble. Nothing else comes close.
- JohnBooty 5y agoI don't think anybody else believes that they would, either. The question is not "is the US military still doing telescope-based surveillance?" it's "is the US military doing it with Hubble-class stuff, or are they doing it with newer stuff?" Given the age and amount of hands-on maintenance required to keep the Hubble working, it's almost certain they're doing it with newer stuff.
- hindsightbias 5y agoThey are believed to have lifespans as long as Hubble. The last block 4 was launched in 2013. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA-245 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA-245 USA-314, launched this year, is allegedly a KH derivative.
- jandrese 5y agoHubble has only lasted as long as it has because it was serviced on 4 separate occasions--although one of those was to fix a manufacturing defect. I don't think any of the spysats had service missions.
- jasonwatkinspdx 5y agoNo one knows for sure publicly, but NRO offered two more KeyHole bodies to NASA some years back. That's may be a hint they're considered obsolete.