[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Long list, lots of which can’t be posted here. But it’s not like the spy movies.

Certain sensors don’t work from space.
Data resolution is in many cases less from space than a manned aircraft.
Satellites are a known commodity, they generally follow the same path daily, and our enemies know that schedule. Don’t want America to see something? Don’t leave it outside for the 15 minutes daily that we survey that area.
Harder to make real time decisions with satellite images compared to an operator on an aircraft, many require post processing to be usable.
Airplanes can be retasked at a moments notice, are more difficult to track, and can hide in plain sight.
Satellites are VERY expensive, and yes even DoW has a budget.
Aircraft can stay on station for much longer.
In the event of a no kidding shooting war with a near peer, our satellites are toast.

The last line here is another good reason to have a magnetic compass and know how to use it!