Satellite Reconnaissance

Satellite Reconnaissance

1991 9 September 4-5 Satellite Reconnaissance (565) In the early stages of civilization, man depended on his own two eyes to see. Then came the telescope, which dramatically extended his vision. Now with recent advances in technology, it is possible to observe the enemy through space satellites and to score direct hits on targets. This was demonstrated to the entire satisfaction of military experts in the recent Gulf war. Such high technology never having been used before, there are many lessons to be learned from these events.

According to a war report, ‘Eyes of the Allies in the Sky,’ published by The Times of India, on January 31, 1991, Iraq launched several dozen scud missiles over Israel and Saudi Arabia only to have a large number of them destroyed in mid-air before they could reach their targets. Wars fought prior to this had witnessed the effective use of long-range guns and bombs, etc. The concept of their interception did not at that time exist. Now, how did the Americans manage to intercept within the realms of possibility by two satellites orbiting in space and controlled from a ground station located in central Australia.

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As part of the entire system, called the Defence Support Programme, American Satellites, orbiting at an altitude of 150 miles, continuously transmitted military information about the Iraqis, irrespective of weather conditions, and without their having to fly directly over Iraq to obtain pictures, this being possible from other positions. These satellites are fitted with 3 metre long infrared telescopes, which sense the heat generated by the firing of a Scud missile. This information is immediately transmitted to the patriot missile system, which makes an instant computer calculation of the scud’s anticipated position before launching its own missile. The whole operation takes just one minute. The spy satellite is usually beyond enemy reach, and, according to the report in this instance provided round-the-clock coverage of Iraq in all weather conditions.

These events serve to remind us that there is a supreme power watching over the entire universe. He watches not just one country but the whole, and that, too, at every moment of our lives. He sees things from all sides.

This takes place according to the Divine Scheme. It is done in order to negate oppression and to thwart and destroy the nefarious plans of the world’s tyrants; to aid the righteous and to bring them to victory.

Wrongdoers must have it brought home to them that their evil designs will never succeed. Any activity of a nature harmful to mankind will be intervened in and brought to ruin by the Divine Power before it can cause widespread destruction.

This world is a place of trial. And because of this, man has been given freedom of action. A man’s actions, therefore, are governed by his own will. For this reason, it is frequently possible for him to succeed in harming other human beings.

But his freedom is not unlimited. He lives under the surveillance of the Almighty, who does not allow him to use his freedom in just any manner he wishes. Beyond a certain point, he is reined in by God: God has promised to help His servants in time of need. Sometimes His help comes immediately. Sometimes it comes after a certain lapse of time. Whether it is instant or delayed, it does arrive in some manner of our Creator’s choosing. Its form is not always predictable.