Satellite Design

2018 – Communications Satellites Mission Segment Breakdown – Snapshot

The majority of communications satellites deployed in 2018, 66% (85), were for commercial purposes (or “missions”). Civil government missions ranked second with a 28% share (36). The seven satellites launched…

2016 – Military Satellites – Snapshot

Military satellites—spacecraft acquired, launched, and operated by a nation’s military forces—share many of the same mission types used in commercial and civilian applications. Communications, remote sensing, positioning, navigation, and timing…

[exhibit:spacecraft-by-mission][/exhibit]

Defining the Satellite Intelligence Collection disciplines.

Definitions of the various intelligence disciplines for an understanding of how they may apply to satellite collection operations. Before talking about reconnaissance satellites one must understand the language of the…

Infrastructure: Space Infrastructure – TSR 2013

Infrastructure: Space Infrastructure - TSR 2013 examines global human spaceflight operations to include both the Chinese and US space stations, launch vehicles from all spacefaring nations, communications satellite constellations, PNT satellites,…

2011 – U.S. Military Satellites – Snapshot

In March 2011, the U.S. Air Force launched the second test flight of the top secret X-37B space plane. Originally scheduled to land after 270 days, the mission was extended…

2010 – U.S. Military X-37B – Snapshot

An unmanned U.S. Air Force space plane, the X-37B, was launched in April 2010 aboard an Atlas V rocket. The X-37B remained in orbit for 220 days, testing its capabilities…