Why “satellites” is being discussed
The most recent Hacker News stories and comments contributing to this topic's mentions.
…and for those unfamiliar with this fun project, the idea was to provide a radio relay system that wasn’t easily disabled by an enemy. This was before communications satellites…
by antonvs · Sep 16, 2026
China has more intelligence/imaging satellites in space than the US does. I don't think it will stop the information flow.
by missedthecue · Sep 16, 2026
This is not correct, and the experiment has been done a number of times with no real effect, most memorably in 01961, when Project West Ford put 480 million copper needles in 35…
by kragen · Sep 16, 2026
The EMP effect depends on there being atmosphere to generate electrical fields from the bomb gamma flux. Being close enough and line of sight from the atmosphere can be sufficie…
by jdougan · Sep 15, 2026
Space is huge, but being on land has some advantages too. It's true that volume grows, but satellites don't have brakes in the way that cars do, nor is there a cleanup crew that…
by eks391 · Sep 15, 2026
I've assumed that they put weapons on satellites as soon as it was possible.
by vondur · Sep 15, 2026
Interest
Proportion of Hacker News items mentioning "satellites" over time.
Mentions
Total number of Hacker News items mentioning "satellites" over time.
A satellite or an artificial satellite is an object, typically a spacecraft, placed into orbit around a celestial body. They have a variety of uses, including communication relay, weather forecasting, navigation (GPS), broadcasting, scientific research, and Earth observation. Additional military uses are reconnaissance, early warning, signals intelligence and, potentially, weapon delivery. Other satellites include the final rocket stages that place satellites in orbit and formerly useful satellites that later become defunct. Read more on Wikipedia