Earth observation for defense

Abstract

Regardless of specific defense applications, one of the most important features requested to a spaceborne Earth observationsystem for defense is to performwith high flexibility in order to assure the satisfaction of defense exigencies whenever and wherever they arise. Further, in a military contest, it is of fundamentalimportance that the data availability, once requested to the syste, is assured with a probability close to 100 %. Last but not least, important aspect in the frame of defense application is theassuranceof the confidentiality and integrity of the information; it is in fact of vital importance to be sure that only those who have requested the data can be able to use it and in addition that the data have not to be alterable by external entities. All the above mentioned aspects involve system design features that have tobe taken into account in order to answer to military exigencies.