Military Satellites

Найдите в словаре и запишите в тетрадь транскрипцию данных слов. Прочитайте их вслух несколько раз.

Manufacture, Earth, forecast, ocean, scientific, ensure, enough, deny, acknowledge, identify.

Words to be learnt

continuous- непрерывный, длительный

to forecast- прогнозировать, предсказывать

to transfer- передавать, перемещать

according to…- в соответствии с чем-то, согласно чему-то

vulnerable- уязвимый

environment- окружающая среда

similar- подобный, похожий

valuable- ценный, значимый

spy satellite- спутник- разведчик

eavesdropping- подслушивание, «прослушка»

covert communication- секретная связь

to ensure- обеспечивать, гарантировать

to take picture- фотографировать

to keep watch on…- вести наблюдение за…

safe (secure) link- безопасная линия (для связи)

retaliatory strike- ответный удар

to replace with…- заменить на…

to improve- улучшить, усовершенствовать

to reach the orbit- достигать орбиты

to afford- позволить себе

Text

An artificial satellite is a manufactured object that continuously orbits Earth or some other body in space. Most artificial satellites orbit Earth. People use them to study the universe, help forecast the weather, transfer telephone calls over the oceans, assist in the navigation of ships and aircraft, monitor crops and other

resources, and support military activities. There are six main types of artificial satellites: scientific research, weather, communications, navigation, Earth observing, and military ones. Artificial satellites are classified according to their mission. Military communication satellites differ from commercial satellites only in that they contain specialized components, certain capabilities, and multiple redundant systems designed to make them less vulnerable and more effective in a hostile environment. Military satellites include weather, communications, navigation, and Earth observing satellites used for military purposes. From orbit, it is possible to obtain a wide-field-of-view image of the Earth, its cloud formations, and their movements. This meteorological information is valuable for military planning and operations. Some military satellites, often called spy satellites, officially referred to as reconnaissance satellites, can detect the launch of missiles, the course of ships at sea, and the movement of military equipment on the ground. Here are some of reconnaissance satellite missions: high resolution photography, measurement and Signature Intelligence, communications eavesdropping, covert communications, monitoring of nuclear test ban compliance and detection of missile launches.

The earliest satellites were made for the armed forces of the United States and Soviet Union military forces, which are still in use today. The armed forces use these orbiting satellites to research battlefield information, locate known or missing troops, ensure communication, and take pictures. There are certain satellites that keep watch on signs of a possible potential nuclear missile and a nuclear explosion. One of the most important functions of military satellites is to provide reliable and secure communication links. The Armed forces need safe links to communicate with ships, aircraft, and mobile receivers on the land surface. The majority of the time these links are quiet, but during training exercises and battles the traffic will be heavy. Military satellites differ from commercial satellites in one respect: military communication satellites have periods of less activity than the commercial satellites that need to carry a continuous string of high volume traffic.

The DSP, which stands for Defense Support Program, satellites have been in GEO orbits since the 1970's. These satellites monitor the Earth's surface using sensors for detection of ballistic missiles. Any ballistic missile will be detected within seconds, which has greatly reduced the chances of a surprise attack by an enemy. The ability to detect the missiles so quickly provides enough time for a retaliatory strike.

Spy satellites are owned by several nations. The French Helios satellite can see an object as small as a bike on Earth's surface. For the most part, military satellite functions are not well-known, since they would not be spy satellites if everyone knew their capabilities. A 10 year program was started by the United States Government in the latter years of 1990 to replace DSP satellites with the SBIRS, Space-Based Infrared System. This fleet of satellites has sensors capable of detecting missile launches and will provide. The first recon information SBIRS is scheduled to be launched into geostationary and elliptical orbits by the United States Defense Department. The low-Earth orbit satellites will work with satellites in the higher orbit to improve missile warnings. The band frequencies used fall within the infrared and visible radiation areas of the spectrum.

A vast majority of the satellites the Soviet Union had launched between 1960 and 1990 carried military duties. Publicly, however, the USSR would deny the very existence of the military space program in the country. Not surprisingly, numerous military space projects have never been officially acknowledged until the last decade of the 20th century. Most Russian military payloads reaching the orbit would be identified only as Cosmos satellites with particular numbers. Any civilian satellites, whose purpose the government would not want to explain, would also receive Cosmos names. It was up to independent observers and historians around the world to struggle with a puzzle of secret space programs. They based their analysis on a combination of available official data and satellite tracking information. The post-Soviet Russia adopted somewhat "westernized" approach to information policy on military space: the military launches are identified as such and receive traditional Cosmos names. During the 1990s, Russian military assets in orbit continuously degraded, as the Ministry of Defense could not afford to launch new spacecraft to replace aging and failing satellites. The situation started changing to the better in the first decade of the 21th century. Russia also maintains global navigation satellite systems. Its Tsikada/Nadezhda low-Earth-orbit system functions similar to the United States' decommissioned Transit system. In addition, Russia operates the GLONASS navigation system. Similar to GPS, the system is less complex, but its satellites have proven less reliable than the United States' version. Receivers are available that will accept navigational data from either GPS or GLONASS.

Задание I. Скажите, верны или нет данные утверждения. Неверные утверждения исправьте, а верные дополните 1-2 предложениями. Для того, чтобы начать свое высказывание, используйте следующие фразы

It’s true (false), I agree (disagree) with…, That’s right (wrong).

1. An artificial satellite continuously orbits the Earth to provide people with valuable information.

2. There are only two types of artificial satellites.

3. Military communication satellites differ from commercial satellites in the way they are launched into orbit.

4. Spy satellites have very important missions.

5. Military satellites don’t include weather satellites.

6. To provide reliable and secure communication links is one of the most important functions of military satellites.

7. A ballistic missile can be detected within an hour by means of a military satellite.

8. Some earliest US and Soviet Union military satellites are still in use today.

9. Spy satellites are owned only by the USA and Russia.

10. In 1990s the Defense Ministry of Russia could not afford to launch new satellites.

Задание II. Приготовьтесь побеседовать по изученной теме в группе и с преподавателем.