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EYES IN THE SKY

America prepares to launch super-advanced space surveillance system which can spy on the whole world

The Space Based Infrared System boasts 'global, persistent, infrared' snooping capabilities, according to its manufacturers

A MASSIVE laser surveillance system that will watch “the whole world” is about to be launched by the US army.

The satellite is packed chock full of lasers, sensors and cameras to provide "global, persistent, infrared surveillance".

The Space Based Infrared System can spot heat causing events across the world
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The Space Based Infrared System can spot heat causing events across the world

The Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) will be launched on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket just after midnight on Friday morning, British time.

Once the laser system reaches about 22,000 miles above the Earth it will begin using its powerful sensors to track everything going on below.

It was designed by Lockheed Martin, which gushed about its super snooping abilities in a public statement.

A spokesperson for the aerospace company said: "SBIRS has powerful overhead sensors that provide vast amounts of data.

"At the SBIRS Mission Control Station, Overhead Persistent Infrared Battlespace Awareness Center at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, this data is being used for operational applications across areas like battlespace awareness, intelligence and 24/7 tactical alerts"

The Space Based Infrared System is being launched this evening
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The Space Based Infrared System is being launched this eveningCredit: LOCKHEED MARTIN
Scientists pack up the SBIRs in anticipation of its launch this evening
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Scientists pack up the SBIRs in anticipation of its launch this evening
The satellite will provide intelligence for the US army
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The satellite will provide intelligence for the US army
Lockheed Martin described the system as a "persistent" and "global" snooping device
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Lockheed Martin described the system as a "persistent" and "global" snooping device
The surveillance and missile warning satellites, known as GEO-5 and GEO-6, will form part of the system
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The surveillance and missile warning satellites, known as GEO-5 and GEO-6, will form part of the systemCredit: LOCKHEED MARTIN

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That includes heat causing events like possible missile launches as promised by North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un, as well as day-to-day civilian movements.

Once data is beamed back to  the SBIRS mission control in Colorado, US it will be used by the US government for "battlespace awareness", "intelligence" and "24/7 tactical alerts".

While some satellites can only 'see' what is directly below them, the SBIRS has a view of the entire world, scanning for wide-area surveillance and zoning in on spots of interest.

But it could soon be rivalled by the technological advancements of a British company also hellbent on providing governments with more surveillance powers.msurveill

Earth’s atmosphere can be turned into massive surveillance system using directed energy lasers.

BAE systems this week unveiled research which shows that the atmosphere could be used to spy on ordinary citizens in unprecedented detail.


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