Why Spy Satellites Don’t Work

The Problem with the Spy in the Sky

It is a well known fact that there are hundreds of thousands of spy satellites orbiting the earth. They are designed to watch our every step, to listen to our radio communications and intercept our internet traffic.

Spy satellites are the most useful tool in any nation’s security, allowing them to quietly and invisibly collect all sorts of useful information.

Somewhat James Bond like these satellites are equipped with very advanced optical and electronic equipment which can identify individuals on the street and even read car number plates.

We have all seen the science fiction around this exciting technology from very unconvincing geo-location of ‘ground based resources’, vehicle tracking and of course that old favourtite – guided missiles.

What then is the problem with the spy in the sky?

Here in Great Western Land we have 3,000 miles of ocean on our west side with predominantly westerly weather systems. This of course leads to a highly variable climate. the net result is lots of cloud cover, not every day but most. How then can an optical spy satellite work in such weather conditions.

This blog would like to suggest… it can’t1