Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
The United States recently launched a reconnaissance satellite into orbit, marking the second such launch in as many days.
South Korea also sent its second reconnaissance satellite into space on Monday, with plans for three more by 2025. North Korea launched its own satellite in November and plans several more this year, led by Kim Jong Un's vow to launch three military spy satellites in 2024.
Reconnaissance satellites play a crucial role in gaining military advantages, allowing countries to secure intelligence and monitor potential threats.
During the Cold War, reconnaissance satellites enabled effective arms control agreements between superpowers by providing insight into each other's activities.
The UK operates a network of reconnaissance satellites, known as Skynet, to ensure timely and accurate information for its armed forces.
Reconnaissance satellites have been instrumental in combating crime, as evidenced by the capture of Colombia's drug lord Otoniel in 2021 using satellite imagery.
North Korea has explicitly stated that its satellites are intended to deter hostile actions and provide surveillance capabilities.
While North Korea has claimed to transmit imagery of key sites in the US and South Korea, doubts remain regarding the satellite's capabilities and whether it can provide meaningful military intelligence.