ISRO’s EMISAT: Electronic Spy in Space

[INDIAPOSITIVE]

EMISAT is an advanced electronic intelligence (ELINT) satellite jointly developed by ISRO-DRDO. It has a basic architecture similar to HySIS (based on Small Satellite Bus-2) which was first used in SARAL satellite. The satellite has been under development for nearly 8 years. The ELINT payload of the satellite was developed under project KAUTILYA by Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL), Hyderabad. The project was first acknowledged in the Ministry of Defence annual report 2013-14.
EMISAT is a small satellite i.e. it weighs less than 500kg. It is likely to be placed in a highly elliptical orbit (signature SIGINT satellite orbit) so as to maximize dwell time over specific signal recording area.
satellite

What is SIGINT?

Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) involves interception of signals broadcasted by communication systems, radars, and other electronic systems.
On the basis of the type of signal intercepted, SIGINT is divided into three subcategories

• Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) :
• Communication Intelligence (COMINT)
• Foreign Instrumentation Signals Intelligence (FISINT)

1. Electronic Intelligence (ELINT).

Electronic Intelligence includes the collection (recording) and analysis of intercepted signals. It primarily deals with radars signals. An ELINT system intercepts radar signal and analyzes it i.e. determines the frequency of carriers and subcarriers, modulation, bandwidth, power level, beam footprint parameters, and emitter location and motion. Basically, it creates an RF signature of a radar which can be used for locating and quickly identify the radar in subsequent encounters. Furthermore, based on RF signature information of a radar, jamming techniques can be developed to counter the radar. This is the reason why IAF avoids using the radars of its fighters in joint exercises.



2. Communication Intelligence (COMINT)

COMINT involved recording and analysis of communication signals. Intercepted COM signals are demodulated and the original data (audio, video, text) is extracted. Since military communications are usually encrypted, analyzing them requires more sophisticated equipment. Therefore, COMINT systems are more complex than ELINT systems.

3. Foreign Instrumentation Signals Intelligence (FISINT)

FISINT is similar to TELINT (telemetry intelligence). It involves interception and analysis of non-communication signals (missile/UAV telemetry signals, missile tracking/arming/fusing commands, locator beacons). A FISINT system is more comprehensive in nature. It not only determines the configuration and capability of emitter but also the overall system emitter is a part of.

Space-based SIGINT systems

SIGINT satellites can be deployed in various orbits depending on the type of signals the satellite is designed for, e.g. To detect low power radar signals, the satellite has to be placed in low-earth orbit while high power early warning radars can be analyzed using a satellite stationed in geostationary earth orbit. The operational orbit of the satellite can be optimized to achieve optimum dwell time over a specific area. Another important factor determining the orbit of a SIGINT satellite is the size of the antenna and the sensitivity of receiving equipment.
satellite

The absence of large antenna (unless it has an unfurlable mesh antenna which isn’t visible in render) indicates that EMISAT appears to be designed to intercept directed microwave transmissions. The microwave link between a satellite and ground station is highly directional. To intercept tight beam transmission, eavesdropper satellite has to be placed between the ground station and the target satellite. Another use of EMISAT is to determine the location of radar emitters (ground and naval) and command nodes. A single EMISAT will be able to determine the probable location of radio emitters, however, for increased DF (direction finding) accuracy multiple satellites are required.



American SIGINT satellite Orion has a 255 feet diameter unfurlable antenna which can detect signals from a wristwatch-sized radio. Orion satellites are used for intercepting missile telemetry/datalink signals and monitoring microwave traffic. SIGINT satellites like Orion are prohibitively expensive ($750 million each) for a country like India. EMISAT is a low-cost alternative. A cluster of EMISATs could mimic functions of a large satellite by sharing processing, communication and mission functions at a fraction of the cost.

Advantages of Space-based intelligence satellites over conventional means

Conventional SIGINT systems include ground stations, combat aircraft carrying specialized SIGINT equipment, unmanned aerial vehicles, dedicated SIGINT aircraft, and AEWCS.

Ground-based SIGINT system, such as Samyukta, has a very limited visibility as SIGINT requires line-of-sight to the emitter.
Manned SIGINT aircraft are very expensive and prone to missile attacks. Losing even one AEWCS represents a huge blow – financial and strategic. Area of operation is limited.

UAV based SIGINT – prone to both missile and jamming attacks. Violation of airspace strains diplomatic relations.
Limited reach of conventional SIGINT systems, for example, a communication node in middle China/Russia can’t be monitored by any of the conventional SIGINT systems mentioned above.

24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, EMISAT along with upcoming GISAT and radar imaging satellites will provide India with an information edge over both Pakistan and China.

 

[Kailash Kumar]

India will launch electronic intelligence satellite Emisat on April 1

24 Mar 2019

Chennai: India on April 1 will launch an electronic intelligence satellite Emisat for the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) along with 28 third party satellites and also demonstrate its new technologies like three different orbits with a new variant of PSLV rocket, ISRO said on Saturday.

According to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), a new variant of its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket will first put the 436 kg Emisat into a 749 km orbit.

After that, the rocket will be brought down to put into orbit the 28 satellites at an altitude of 504 km.

This will be followed by bringing the rocket down further to 485 km when the fourth stage/engine will turn into a payload platform carrying three experimental payloads: (a) Automatic Identification System (AIS) from ISRO for Maritime satellite applications capturing messages transmitted from ships (b) Automatic Packet Repeating System (APRS) from AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation), India - to assist amateur radio operators in tracking and monitoring position data and (c) Advanced Retarding Potential Analyser for Ionospheric Studies (ARIS) from Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) - for the structural and compositional studies of ionosphere, the space agency said.

The whole flight sequence will take about 180 minutes from the rocket's lift off slated at 9.30 a.m. on April 1.

The 28 international customer satellites (24 from US, 2 from Lithuania and one each from Spain and Switzerland)- will weigh about 220 kg.

"It is a special mission for us. We will be using a PSLV rocket with four strap-on motors. Further, for the first time we will be trying to orbit the rocket at three different altitudes," ISRO Chairman K. Sivan had earlier told IANS.

The PSLV is a four-stage engine expendable rocket with alternating solid and liquid fuel.

In its normal configuration, the rocket will have six strap-on motors hugging the rocket's first stage.

On January 24, the ISRO flew a PSLV with two strap-on motors while in March, it had four strap-on motors.

The Indian space agency also has two more PSLV variants, viz Core Alone (without any strap-on motors) and the larger PSLV-XL.

The ISRO selects the kind of rocket to be used based on the weight of satellites it carries.

The ISRO will also be launching two more defence satellites sometime in July or August with its new rocket Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).

In January, the space agency launched a defence imaging satellite Microsat R for the DRDO.

https://www.livemint.com/science/ne...atellite-emisat-on-april-1-1553401737596.html

 

[kris]

What are the implications?
Can someone post in layman terms

 

[Kailash Kumar]

What are the implications?
Can someone post in layman terms

ISRO will launch an electronic intelligence satellite.

These type of satellites gather intelligence by intercepting signals as in radio waves.

So, the implications are that India will be able to gather more of this type of intelligence.

 

[kris]

ISRO will launch an electronic intelligence satellite.

These type of satellites gather intelligence by intercepting signals as in radio waves.

So, the implications are that India will be able to gather more of this type of intelligence.

These signal interceptors are there on land already
What difference can this satellite make?
Any other nations with such satellites?

 

[Anik101]

These signal interceptors are there on land already
What difference can this satellite make?
Any other nations with such satellites?

Wide coverage area??

 

[Surya 1]

Amazing ISRO rocks once again.

 

[kris]

Wide coverage area??

I am not sure. Any experts here?

Or is this another satellite with a cover-up name

 

[Anik101]

DRDO satellite that will sniff out enemy radars to be launch ..

Read more at:
https://m.timesofindia.com/india/dr...ofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

 

[Surya 1]

This satellite will precisely locate the radars, communication devices, intercept communication and will map tarrain. This was in making in DRDO lab for last 8 years. India will be able to target all enemy missile fro Indian soil. Enemy radars will just become srap.

 

[Kailash Kumar]

These signal interceptors are there on land already
What difference can this satellite make?
Any other nations with such satellites?

I am not an expert, but I did find the article below, which might answer your questions.

ISRO's EMISAT: Electronic Spy in Space

December 07, 2018

EMISAT is an advanced electronic intelligence (ELINT) satellite jointly developed by ISRO-DRDO. It has a basic architecture similar to HySIS (based on Small Satellite Bus-2) which was first used in SARAL satellite. The satellite has been under development for nearly 8 years. The ELINT payload of the satellite was developed under project KAUTILYA by Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL), Hyderabad. The project was first acknowledged in the Ministry of Defence annual report 2013-14.
EMISAT is a small satellite i.e. it weighs less than 500kg. It is likely to be placed in a highly elliptical orbit (signature SIGINT satellite orbit) so as to maximize dwell time over specific signal recording area.

Space-based SIGINT systems
SIGINT satellites can be deployed in various orbits depending on the type of signals the satellite is designed for, e.g. To detect low power radar signals, the satellite has to be placed in low-earth orbit while high power early warning radars can be analyzed using a satellite stationed in geostationary earth orbit. The operational orbit of the satellite can be optimized to achieve optimum dwell time over a specific area. Another important factor determining the orbit of a SIGINT satellite is the size of the antenna and the sensitivity of receiving equipment.

The absence of large antenna (unless it has an unfurlable mesh antenna which isn't visible in render) indicates that EMISAT appears to be designed to intercept directed microwave transmissions. The microwave link between a satellite and ground station is highly directional. To intercept tight beam transmission, eavesdropper satellite has to be placed between the ground station and the target satellite. Another use of EMISAT is to determine the location of radar emitters (ground and naval) and command nodes. A single EMISAT will be able to determine the probable location of radio emitters, however, for increased DF (direction finding) accuracy multiple satellites are required.

American SIGINT satellite Orion has a 255 feet diameter unfurlable antenna which can detect signals from a wristwatch-sized radio. Orion satellites are used for intercepting missile telemetry/datalink signals and monitoring microwave traffic. SIGINT satellites like Orion are prohibitively expensive ($750 million each) for a country like India. EMISAT is a low-cost alternative. A cluster of EMISATs could mimic functions of a large satellite by sharing processing, communication and mission functions at a fraction of the cost.

Advantages of Space-based intelligence satellites over conventional means
Conventional SIGINT systems include ground stations, combat aircraft carrying specialized SIGINT equipment, unmanned aerial vehicles, dedicated SIGINT aircraft, and AEWCS.

1. Ground-based SIGINT system, such as Samyukta, has a very limited visibility as SIGINT requires line-of-sight to the emitter.
2. Manned SIGINT aircraft are very expensive and prone to missile attacks. Losing even one AEWCS represents a huge blow - financial and strategic. Area of operation is limited.
3. UAV based SIGINT - prone to both missile and jamming attacks. Violation of airspace strains diplomatic relations.
4. Limited reach of conventional SIGINT systems, for example, a communication node in middle China/Russia can't be monitored by any of the conventional SIGINT systems mentioned above.

24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, EMISAT along with upcoming GISAT and radar imaging satellites will provide India with an information edge over both Pakistan and China.


Source and full article (with pictures of satellites and explanation of what signal intelligence is, which I left out):
https://mark20x.blogspot.com/2018/12/isros-emisat-electronic-spy-in-space.html

 

[Deleted]

The satellite will be launched into orbit to help India's intelligence agencies keep an eagle eye on other countries.

New Delhi (Sputnik): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch a locally built advanced military satellite, along with 28 other satellites from international partners, on 1 April from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

This will be the 47th mission of ISRO's C45 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

The launch is also aimed at demonstrating the PSLV's capability to place satellites into orbit.

"We will be using a PSLV rocket with four strap-on motors. Further, for the first time we will be trying to orbit the rocket at three different altitudes," K Sivan, chairman of the ISRO, said.

The primary satellite will be injected into orbit at 749 km, followed by two fourth stage restarts to achieve a 504 km orbit, where all customer satellites will be injected. Subsequently, the fourth stage will be restarted again to achieve a 485 km orbit to serve as an orbital platform to carry out spaceborne experimentation.

In the fourth stage, the launcher will turn into a payload platform carrying three experimental payloads that include an automatic identification system for maritime satellite applications capturing messages transmitted from ships.

The second payload comprises an automatic packet repeating system (APRS) from India's AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) that will assist amateur radio operators in tracking and monitoring position data. The third experimental payload includes an advanced retarding potential analyser for ionospheric studies (ARIS) from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), an ISRO document reads.

https://sputniknews.com/asia/201903251073526515-india-launch-military-satellite/