Satellite surveillance?

Question

Instead of building a wall to protect the border with Mexico, wouldn’t it be easier to have a satellite equipped with thermal imaging (and all the other good stuff) send a live feed to a central command center? This way when illegals are spotted, border agents can be dispatched to intercept them. I know that it won’t work in absolutely all parts of the border but it will work in most parts of the border. Wouldn’t it also save money since border patrol can be dispatched only to where they are needed, much like firefighters or paramedics, and we won’t have agents patrolling empty parts of the desert?

Or at least have those small and cheap unmanned aircraft the army is so proud of doing aerial surveillance.

Yak Rider, you make me laugh being as naïve as you are. The technology I am talking about has existed for over 10 years.

Answer 1

I agree with you, say yes to amnesty!!!

Answer 2

While on the surface it sounds like a great idea, you have to remember in many areas the border is very close to residential areas and businesses. Once the person is over the border they can quickly disappear in to the crowd (so to speak). Additionally, satellites can not see through cloud cover (even thermal). Many areas of the border already have coverage by cameras.

Another issue idea of simply responding to where the illegal entry happens is this: Even if the nearest officer is only 1 mile away it would take 30 seconds to get there if the officer could drive 120 MPH. That is a long time when someone is running and trying to hide. More likely the response would take 60 - 120 seconds.

Answer 3

Satellites don't work that way. Geostationary satellites are in orbit over 22,000 miles above the equator. There's nothing they can do from that altitude.

True imaging spy satellites are polar orbiters. They fly a path over the north and south poles while the Earth turns beneath them. They fly at altitudes of less than 200 miles and have a footprint about 900 miles wide. Usually you get 2 passes per day over any particular geographic area on the Earth's surface.

Additionally, the path of imaging spy satellites is extremely predictable. It's easy to know exactly when you're vulnerable to surveillance by them.

You've been watching too many movies.

Answer 4

Better yet, and its already being installed, they have live cameras which sound remote alarms at the Border Patrol and contact border agents. Makes perfect sense.

Answer 5

Satellite's don't work well through cloud cover.

You would need aircraft up around the clock.

Answer 6

I think they already have some type of camera surveillance like that.