Reznikov praises "people’s satellite": We will receive information that was previously unavailable

ALONA MAZURENKO — FRIDAY, 19 AUGUST 2022, 18:37

Oleksii Reznikov, the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, said that thanks to the "people's satellite", the Ukrainian army will quickly receive information that it could not have received before.

Source: Reznikov on Facebook

Quote: "Thanks to the Ukrainians who raised funds for a Bayraktar [drone], we managed to do the following.

First, it became possible to purchase one satellite that uses synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology. This satellite, which sees at night and through clouds, etc., will work in the interests of the Defence Forces of Ukraine 24/7. ‘To purchase’ is not an exaggeration. It will receive information for the needs of the defence of Ukraine for as long as it physically exists and performs its functions.

Second, at the same time, access to a whole constellation of satellites was acquired, and our military will be able to use the database of their photos for a year.

Third, the decryption of images will be organised in such a way that the data is received as quickly as possible.

In other words, our army will start receiving information that it could not have received before. At the same time, they will do it quickly, when it is necessary, and from where it is needed."

Details: According to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and military intelligence have determined the technical requirements for satellite technologies that we would like to acquire for our army.

Reznikov added that during the analysis, it was found out that ICEYE's capabilities are a real "space" [very cool - ed.], but they had an unattainable cost: "we did not even hope that we would be able to attract them."

According to him, soon every HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System), M270 multiple launch rocket system or MARS II rocket launch system, as well as every howitzer or self-propelled artillery system with high-precision projectiles, will be able to destroy the Russian occupying forces more effectively.

The Minister also shared that before the purchase of the satellite, Ukrainian defenders received information from satellites from partners: "but this data is mainly from optical satellites, which have their own technological limitations regarding working at night, when it is cloudy, the battlefield is covered with smoke, it is snowing or there are other obstacles. In addition, this information is received with a certain delay and not from all directions."

Background: 

• The Serhiy Prytula foundation has purchased a satellite and access to the database of satellite images for the Ukrainian army, spending UAH 600 million [almost $16 330 000] that the foundation collected thanks to donations by ordinary Ukrainian citizens.
• ICEYE satellites, one of which the foundation has purchased, are able to scan objects all over the Earth in any weather.

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