Ukraine can get the opportunity to monitor the enemy thanks to foreign satellites with SAR
In the near future, Japan may join the countries that share satellite images with Ukraine. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites will allow you to take detailed images in any weather or time of day, which is very valuable data in wartime.
Last week, Ukraine turned to several technology companies to collect images of the Earth’s surface from commercial satellites. Data from such satellites can help the military better navigate and monitor the situation in “hot spots”.
Thus, the minister of digital transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov published a letter with an appeal to such companies as:
- Maxar Technologies,
- Airbus SAS,
- SI Imaging Services,
- BlackSky Global,
- ICEYE,
- Planet Labs,
- Capella Space,
- and SpaceView.
The minister in his address stressed that Ukraine needs access to satellite images using SAR technology and called on companies to share such data. Fedorov told about this in his Telegram.
- EOS Data Analytics, a company of Ukrainian entrepreneur Max Polyakov, also joined this call.
- With the same request, Ukraine turned to Japan, which has five SAR IGS Radar satellites in ORBIT (3, 4, 5, 6, and spare).
It is important to note that these satellites are used as a priority for conducting satellite reconnaissance for the needs of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces or for monitoring the activities of the North Korean military.
Why does Ukraine need satellite images?
Such satellite images can be useful for analyzing the movement of the Russian army on the territory of Ukraine and conducting possible counteractions.
It should be noted that at best, data from optical satellites is useful for only 2-3 hours a day, while most enemy attacks and their main activity occur under the cover of night.
Important! After Mikhail Fedorov’s call to share satellite images with Ukraine, Japan noted that images from their satellites are used as a priority by the state. Only then can they be sold for use to other companies or countries. Since this process is usually long – until Ukraine receives the images, they may not be representative and do not cover the real situation.
At the same time, the Nikkei Asia portal predicts that the decision may be positive, but the decision to sell satellite data will be made by the state, and not by private companies that monitor civilian satellites since the beneficiaries of the images will be the armed forces of Ukraine.
According to Defense Express, if approved by Japan, the photos will be sent in encrypted form to prevent them from being intercepted by Russian troops or hacker groups.
It should also be noted that after the appeal of Mikhail Fedorov, the Canadian company MDA, which manages the Radarsat Constellation, gave a positive response. MDA has already received permission from the Government of Canada to provide radar satellite images to Ukraine.
Important! The Armed Forces of Ukraine are fighting back against the enemy. We are under the reliable protection of our military. And international partners support Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia.
KEEP CALM, READ PROVEN NEWS, AND BELIEVE IN THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE!
