# Military satellite

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Artificial satellite used for military purposes

Not to be confused with [spy satellite](/source/Spy_satellite).

A model of a [German](/source/Germany) [SAR-Lupe](/source/SAR-Lupe) reconnaissance satellite inside a Cosmos-3M rocket

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A **military satellite** is an [artificial satellite](/source/Artificial_satellite) used for a [military](/source/Military) purpose. The most common missions are [intelligence](/source/Intelligence_(information_gathering)) gathering, navigation and military [communications](/source/Communications_satellite).

The first military satellites were photographic reconnaissance missions. Some attempts were made to develop [satellite based weapons](/source/Space_weapon#Space-to-Earth_weapons) but this work was halted in 1967 following the ratification of international treaties banning the deployment of weapons of mass destruction in orbit.

As of 2013, there are 950 satellites of all types in Earth orbit. It is not possible to identify the exact number of these that are military satellites partly due to secrecy and partly due to dual purpose missions such as [GPS](/source/GPS) satellites that serve both civilian and military purposes. As of December 2018 there are 320 known military or dual-use satellites in the sky, half of which are owned by the US, followed by Russia, China and India.[1]

## Military reconnaissance satellites

Image showing the recovery process for a Discoverer film canister.

The first military use of satellites was for reconnaissance.

In the United States the first formal military satellite programs, Weapon System 117L, was developed in the mid-1950s.[2] Within this program a number of sub-programs were developed including [Corona](/source/Corona_(satellite)).[2] Satellites within the Corona program carried different code names. The first launches were code named Discoverer. This mission was a series of [reconnaissance satellites](/source/Reconnaissance_satellite), designed to enter orbit, take high-resolution photographs and then return the payload to Earth via parachute.[2] [Discoverer 1](/source/Discoverer_1), the first mission, was launched on 28 February 1959 although it didn't carry a payload being intended as a test flight to prove the technology.[3] Corona was followed by other programs including [Canyon](/source/Canyon_(satellite)) (seven launches between 1968 and 1977[4]), [Aquacade](/source/Aquacade_(satellite))[5] and [Orion](/source/Orion_(satellite)) (stated by US Government sources to be extremely large[6]). There have also been a number of subsequent programs including [Magnum](/source/Magnum_(satellite)) and [Trumpet](/source/Trumpet_(satellite)),[7] but these remain classified and therefore many details remain speculative.

The [Soviet Union](/source/Soviet_Union) began the [Almaz](/source/Almaz) ([Russian](/source/Russian_language): Алмаз) program in the early 1960s. This program involved placing space stations in Earth orbit as an alternative to satellites. Three stations were launched between 1973 and 1976: [Salyut 2](/source/Salyut_2), [Salyut 3](/source/Salyut_3) and [Salyut 5](/source/Salyut_5). Following Salyut 5, the [Soviet Ministry of Defence](/source/Ministry_of_Defense_(Soviet_Union)) judged in 1978 that the time consumed by station maintenance outweighed the benefits relative to automatic reconnaissance satellites.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

In 2015, United States military space units and commercial satellite operator [Intelsat](/source/Intelsat) became concerned about apparent reconnaissance test maneuvers by the [Russian](/source/Government_of_Russia) satellite [Olymp-K](/source/Olymp-K), launched in September 2014, when it maneuvered between [Intelsat 7](/source/Intelsat_7) and [Intelsat 901](/source/Intelsat_901), which are located only half a degree from one another in [geosynchronous orbit](/source/Geosynchronous_orbit).[8]

## Navigation satellites

A simulation of the original design of the GPS space segment, with 24 GPS satellites (4 satellites in each of 6 orbits)

The first [satellite navigation](/source/Satellite_navigation) system, [Transit](/source/Transit_(satellite)), used by the [United States Navy](/source/United_States_Navy), was tested in 1960.[9] It used a [constellation](/source/Satellite_constellation) of five satellites and could provide a navigational fix approximately once per hour.

During the [Cold War](/source/Cold_War) [arms race](/source/Arms_race), the nuclear threat was used to justify the cost of providing a more capable system. These developments led eventually to the deployment of the [Global Positioning System](/source/Global_Positioning_System) (GPS). The US Navy required precise navigation to enable [submarines](/source/Submarine) to get an accurate fix of their positions before they launched their SLBMs.[10] The USAF had requirements for a more accurate and reliable navigation system, as did the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army) for geodetic surveying [11] for which purpose they had developed the [SECOR](/source/SECOR) system. SECOR used ground-based transmitters from known locations that sent signals to satellite transponder in orbit. A fourth ground-based station, at an undetermined position, could then use those signals to fix its location precisely. The last SECOR satellite was launched in 1969.[12]

In 1978, the first experimental Block-I GPS satellite was launched[13] and by December 1993, GPS achieved initial operational capability (IOC), indicating a full constellation (24 satellites) was available and providing the Standard Positioning Service (SPS).[14] Full Operational Capability (FOC) was declared by [Air Force Space Command](/source/Air_Force_Space_Command) (AFSPC) in April 1995, signifying full availability of the military's secure Precise Positioning Service (PPS).[14]

## Early warning systems

A number of nations have developed satellite based [early warning](/source/Missile_defense) systems designed to detect [intercontinental ballistic missile](/source/Intercontinental_ballistic_missile) (ICBMs) during different flight phases. In the United States these satellites are operated by the [Defense Support Program](/source/Defense_Support_Program) (DSP). The first launch of a DSP satellite was on 6 November 1970 with the 23rd and last launched 10 November 2007. This program has been superseded by the [Space-Based Infrared System](/source/Space-Based_Infrared_System) (SBIRS).

## Satellite weapons

In the United States, research into satellite based weapons was initiated by President [Dwight D. Eisenhower](/source/Dwight_D._Eisenhower) in the 1950s. In 1958, the United States initiated Project Defender to develop an anti-[ICBM](/source/ICBM) solution launched from satellites. The satellites would have deployed a huge wire mesh to disable ICBMs during their early launch phase. The project floundered due to the lack of any mechanism to protect the satellites from attack resulting in the cancellation of Defender in 1968.[15]

Since October 1967, satellite based weapons systems have been limited by international treaty to conventional weapons only. [Art.IV](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Outer_Space_Treaty_of_1967#Article_IV) of the [Outer Space Treaty](/source/Outer_Space_Treaty) specifically prohibits signatories from installing [weapons of mass destruction](/source/Weapons_of_mass_destruction) in Earth orbit. The treaty became effective on 10 October 1967 and, as of May 2013, 102 countries are parties to the treaty with a further 27 pending full ratification.[16][17]

## Military communication satellites

[Communications satellites](/source/Communications_satellites) are used for [military communications](/source/Military_communications) applications. Typically military satellites operate in the [UHF](/source/UHF), [SHF](/source/Super_high_frequency) (also known as [X-band](/source/X-band)) or [EHF](/source/Extremely_high_frequency) (also known as [Ka band](/source/Ka_band)) frequency bands.

The US Armed Forces maintains international networks of satellites with ground stations located in various continents. [Signal latency](/source/Latency_(engineering)#Satellite_transmission) is a major concern in satellite communications, so geographic and meteorological factors play an important role in choosing teleports. Since some of the major military activities of the U.S. army are in foreign territories, the U.S. government needs to subcontract satellite services to foreign carriers headquartered in areas with favorable climate.[18]

Military Strategic and Tactical Relay, or [Milstar](/source/Milstar), is a constellation of military satellites managed by the [United States Space Force](/source/United_States_Space_Force). Six spacecraft were launched between 1994 and 2003, of which five are operational, with the sixth lost in a launch failure. They are deployed in [geostationary orbit](/source/Geostationary_orbit) and provide wideband, narrowband and protected military communication systems. [Wideband](/source/Wideband) systems support high-bandwidth transfers. Protected systems offer more sophisticated security protection like antijam features and nuclear survivability, while [narrowband](/source/Narrowband) systems are intended for basic communications services that do not require high bandwidth.

The [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) also operates military communication satellites through its [Skynet](/source/Skynet_(satellite)) system. This is currently operated with support from [Astrium Services](/source/Astrium_Services) and provides near worldwide coverage with both [X band](/source/X_band) and [Ultra high frequency](/source/Ultra_high_frequency) services.[19]

[Skynet 5](/source/Skynet_(satellite)) is the United Kingdom's most recent military communications satellite system. There are four Skynet satellites in orbit, with the latest launch completed in December 2012.[20] The system is provided by a private contractor, Astrium, with the UK government paying service charges based on bandwidth consumption.[20]

Further information: [X Band Satellite Communication](/source/X_Band_Satellite_Communication)

## Military satellites by country

Rank Country Military satellites Ref. 1 United States 247 [21] 2 China 157 [21] 3 Russia 110 [21] 4 France 17 [21] 5 Israel 12 [21] 6 Italy 10 [21] 7 India 9 [21] 8 Germany 8 [21] 9 United Kingdom 6 [21] 10 Poland 5 [21] 11 Spain 4 [21] 12 Turkey 3 [22] 13 Iran 2 [21] 14 Portugal 2 [23][24]

## See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Military satellites](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Military_satellites).

- [Missile Defense Alarm System](/source/Missile_Defense_Alarm_System)

- [Space warfare](/source/Space_warfare)

- [Spy satellite](/source/Spy_satellite)

- [Strategic Defense Initiative](/source/Strategic_Defense_Initiative)

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["SECOR Chronology"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100116213013/http://astronautix.com/craft/secor.htm). *Mark Wade's Encyclopedia Astronautica*. Archived from [the original](http://www.astronautix.com/craft/secor.htm) on January 16, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2010.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Skynet 5 X-band"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140516082649/http://www.satcom-airbusds.com/products-solutions/government-satcom/products-systems/bandwidth/skynet-5-x-band/). *Airbus Defence and Space*. 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.satcom-airbusds.com/products-solutions/government-satcom/products-systems/bandwidth/skynet-5-x-band/) on 16 May 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Skynet_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Skynet_20-1) Jonathan Amos (19 December 2012). ["UK's Skynet military satellite launched"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20781625). BBC. Retrieved 2014-04-11.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-src1_21-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-src1_21-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-src1_21-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-src1_21-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-src1_21-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-src1_21-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-src1_21-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-src1_21-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-src1_21-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-src1_21-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-src1_21-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-src1_21-11) ["Military Satellites by Country 2023"](https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/military-satellite-by-country). *worldpopulationreview.com*. Retrieved 2023-12-29.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Ülkemizin Aktif Yapay Uydularını Tanıyalım | TÜBİTAK Bilim Genç"](https://bilimgenc.tubitak.gov.tr/makale/ulkemizin-aktif-yapay-uydularini-taniyalim#:~:text=T%C3%BCrksat%203A,%20T%C3%BCrksat%204A,%20T%C3%BCrksat,s%C3%BCresi%20dolan%20uydular%C4%B1m%C4%B1z%20da%20bulunuyor.). *Bilim Genc* (in Turkish). Retrieved 2024-10-25.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Portugal acquires its first Earth observation satellite"](https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/air/portugal-acquires-its-first-earth-observation-satellite). *Default*. 2025-06-18. Retrieved 2025-06-26.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Second Portuguese military satellite launches early this morning"](https://www.portugalresident.com/second-portuguese-military-satellite-launches-early-this-morning/).

## Resources

- Squadron Leader KK Nair, "Space: The Frontiers of Modern Defence", *Knowledge World Publishers,* New Delhi.

## External links

- **N-1** For details, see [Space: The Frontiers of Modern Defence](https://books.google.com/books?id=ZBXL1i-n6UAC&dq=space+frontiers+modern+defence&pg=PA4)

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v t e Public-sector space agencies Africa Pan-African and pan-Arab RASCOM Arabsat National ASAL EgSA NARSS ESSTI GSSTC KSA CRTS NASRDA SANSA Americas North America CSA NASA NESDIS OSC FAA/AST FCC USSF USSPACECOM NRO Latin America and the Caribbean ALCE AEM CONAE ABE AEB DCTA INPE ITA CCE ABAE IVIC Asia Pan-Asian APSCO Central Asia KazCosmos1 Roscosmos1 SRI VK TNSA1 East Asia CNSA SASTIND CASC CALT CAST CCF CGWIC PLAASF CASIC JAXA ISAS JSS NICT NATA KASA KARI KASI SaTReC TASA South Asia BSPARRSO ISRO2 Antrix Corp DoS NRSC NSIL DSA SUPARCO Southeast Asia BRIN ORPA INASA MYSA PhilSA NSAS GISTDA VNSC MSA West Asia ArmCosmos1 MAKA1 NSSA NEHSA ISA ISRC ISA NCSR SSA KACST-SRI SSA2 GORS TUA TÜBİTAK UZAY UAESA (MBRSC) Europe Pan-European CEN/CENELEC CEPT ETSI Eurocontrol ECAC ESA ECSS ESTEC EAC ESRIN ECSAT ESAC ESOC ESTRACK Guiana Space Centre EUMETSAT EUTELSAT IGO ESO EU and EEA DG DEFIS EUSPA EU SatCen EASA BEREC ALR2 BELSPO BIRA-IASB SRTI2 CSO2 DTU Space ESO1 CNES2 AAE CdE DLR2 HSA HSO2 ASI LSA LSO1 SRON NLSA NOSA POLSA2 CBK PAN UKE KRRiT ORO ULC PTSPACE ROSA2 INTA AEC EAE AEE SNSA Other ArmCosmos1 MAKA1 BSA1 KazCosmos1 Roscosmos1 SRI VVKO SSO TUA TÜBİTAK UZAY SSAU1 UKSA2 Oceania ASA CSIRO NZSA World CCSDS CEOS COSPAR IPDA Cospas-Sarsat GEO GSC IADC ICSMD IMSO ISECG ISS MCB ITSO Intersputnik ODCWG ITU-R UNCOPUOS UNOOSA UNOSAT Former BNSC KCST INCOSPAR LAPAN NAL NASDA SSP MOM Interkosmos See also: Timeline of first orbital launches by country 1 Preceded by the Soviet space program 2 Preceded by Interkosmos participation

Authority control databases: National Japan Czech Republic

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Military satellite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_satellite) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_satellite?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.