EW 105: Space Electronic Warfare

Book excerpt: The fifth book in the bestselling Artech House EW 100 series explores electronic warfare (EW) in space. Practical problems – including intercept and jamming of hostile signals transmitted from the Earth’s surface and the vulnerability of satellite links to attack from the Earth’s surface are discussed. Spherical trigonometry is covered to provide the background necessary to understand the scope of satellite problems. Orbit mechanics, specifically the way the Earth and its satellites revolve around one another, is also explained. The basics of radio propagation and how it applies to communications Electronic Warfare are demonstrated, as well as the special considerations that apply to radio transmission to and from an Earth satellite. Satellite links and link vulnerability are discussed. Readers learn how to calculate the distance over which a satellite can view as a function of its orbital parameters, how long the satellite can see that point, and the frequency shift in signals received by the satellite or an Earth based receiver. EW applications of orbit mechanics, satellite links, radio propagation and link vulnerability. Written by an expert in the field, this book is useful for technical and non-technical professionals.