Satellite electronic attack of enemy air defenses

Satellite electronic attack on enemy air defense radars is a pioneering use of orbiting radar emitters that were once used for remote sensing. Electronic attack is not the same as remote sensing, so a detailed design analysis of candidate space radar systems is required. The shuttle radar topographic mapper mission (SRTM) seems perfectly capable of electronic attack based upon ongoing engineering analysis. The electromagnetic propagation path is narrowly evaluated to answer the basic critique, ldquoIsn't space too far awayrdquo. This evaluation establishes critical limits for key parameters: (1) number of satellites required in the enemy's field of view, (2) transmitter power, (3) transmitter gain, (4) transmitter bandwidth, and (5) assumed losses resulting in burnthrough ranges for various assumed design parameters.