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- Thread starter Towered
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kEiThZ
Superstar
Probing attacks have begun. No idea if this is the main effort. But this is the start.
DSC
Superstar
Interesting chart in Economist today:
"Our system relies on satellites that circle over Ukraine twice a day and use thermal imaging to detect high-temperature events in places unobscured by clouds. We use a machine-learning system to estimate whether these events are related to the war, by comparing patterns with what was observed before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. It is far from perfect, but it offers a consistent and neutral guide to probable military activity in the country.
Examining the data from June 4th and 5th, the model identified war-related fires at several points along the frontline. Most of these fires were concentrated around the cities of Zaporizhia (Ukrainian-held) and Donetsk (Russian-held), where there were reports of significant escalation in the night between June 4th and 5th. Russian forces claim to have repelled most of the attacks.
"Our system relies on satellites that circle over Ukraine twice a day and use thermal imaging to detect high-temperature events in places unobscured by clouds. We use a machine-learning system to estimate whether these events are related to the war, by comparing patterns with what was observed before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. It is far from perfect, but it offers a consistent and neutral guide to probable military activity in the country.
Examining the data from June 4th and 5th, the model identified war-related fires at several points along the frontline. Most of these fires were concentrated around the cities of Zaporizhia (Ukrainian-held) and Donetsk (Russian-held), where there were reports of significant escalation in the night between June 4th and 5th. Russian forces claim to have repelled most of the attacks.
kEiThZ
Superstar
SBIRS is the GOAT. Not many people understand the value of that system. Especially beyond its original missile warning mandate. And nobody has the persistent coverage of a system like that.
en.m.wikipedia.org
One of the interesting aspects of this conflict is people finally understanding what kind of equipment their tax dollars pay for (mostly American tax dollars) and why that matters. I'm still waiting for regular Joes to figure out hyperspectral imaging and coherent change detection and all the other cool stuff advanced sensors combined with image processing can do.
Space-Based Infrared System - Wikipedia
One of the interesting aspects of this conflict is people finally understanding what kind of equipment their tax dollars pay for (mostly American tax dollars) and why that matters. I'm still waiting for regular Joes to figure out hyperspectral imaging and coherent change detection and all the other cool stuff advanced sensors combined with image processing can do.
AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
SBIRS is the GOAT. Not many people understand the value of that system. Especially beyond its original missile warning mandate. And nobody has the persistent coverage of a system like that.
Space-Based Infrared System - Wikipedia
One of the interesting aspects of this conflict is people finally understanding what kind of equipment their tax dollars pay for (mostly American tax dollars) and why that matters. I'm still waiting for regular Joes to figure out hyperspectral imaging and coherent change detection and all the other cool stuff advanced sensors combined with image processing can do.
The next-gen system would be even more amazing:
Raytheon wins $250 million contract for missile-tracking satellites
Raytheon wins $250 million contract for missile-tracking satellites
spacenews.com
L3Harris, Northrop Grumman to build 28 missile-tracking satellites for U.S. Space Development Agency
L3Harris, Northrop Grumman to build 28 missile-tracking satellites for U.S. Space Development Agency
spacenews.com
As to hyperspectral imaging - my understanding is it will be delivered by commercial space:
NRO signs agreements with commercial providers of hyperspectral imagery
NRO signs agreements with commercial providers of hyperspectral imagery
spacenews.com
What's really needed is constellations - fast revisits, survivability, etc.
AoD
kEiThZ
Superstar
People freak about nukes that take out a few city blocks. I was more worried about something like this:
www.bbc.com
More damage than any nuke ever would. And it was definitely planned:
Ukraine dam: What we know about Nova Kakhovka incident
Catastrophic floods engulf towns and villages in southern Ukraine after a major dam was destroyed.
www.bbc.com
More damage than any nuke ever would. And it was definitely planned:
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AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
People freak about nukes that take out a few city blocks. I was more worried about something like this:
Ukraine dam: What we know about Nova Kakhovka incident
Catastrophic floods engulf towns and villages in southern Ukraine after a major dam was destroyed.
More damage than any nuke ever would. And it was definitely planned:
No one should be surprised by this - it's been mentioned as a possible move for ages. Thankfully the number of people downstream appears relatively small.
AoD
Northern Light
Superstar
There don't appear, as yet, to be any civilian casualties; though I imagine some will be expected; but there are implications for drinking water availability, the loss of the on site power plant as well, which may impair livability over a large area.
A secondary concern maybe the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant which relies, in part on the reservoir for cooling. There is no immediate risk, and the plant does have an adjacent cooling pond which is good for at least several months; but were that inadequate in the longer term; shutting down the largest nuclear plant in Europe has no small implications.
Towered
Senior Member
Yeah, as awful as it is, I'm sure it's been included in "what if" calculations for a long time. Nobody should be surprised that Russia did this. It's just another typically cruel example of them lashing out like a frustrated toddler on a large scale over their failed invasion. Can't wait to see these orcs increasingly suffer in the coming months.
kEiThZ
Superstar
True. To be expected. But still sucks when it happens. Damage to property. Loss of human and animal life. Some challenges to Ukraine militarily.
Towered
Senior Member
Perhaps, but I doubt the main thrust of the counter offensive would have involved a mass crossing of the Dnipro.
AlvinofDiaspar
Moderator
On the other hand, atrocities such as these have propaganda value and help harden resolve.
AoD
kEiThZ
Superstar
The shortest path to the best road into Crimea is across the river. It may not have been the main effort. But it probably would have been one of the axes....
kEiThZ
Superstar
Richard White
Senior Member
People freak about nukes that take out a few city blocks. I was more worried about something like this:
Ukraine dam: What we know about Nova Kakhovka incident
Catastrophic floods engulf towns and villages in southern Ukraine after a major dam was destroyed.
More damage than any nuke ever would. And it was definitely planned:
Doesn't this violate the Geneva convention?