So, does china have intelligence gathering satellites in geosynchronous orbits positioned right over taiwan?
If not, why not? I do not believe there are any laws prohibiting it, even though it would surely be frowned upon politically by both taiwan and US governments.
No matter what the political repercussions, the benefit of 3-5 satellites right over taiwan 24/7, with optical and SAR sensors would be immense. Even if taiwan is capable of taking them out, chinese would have every right to interpret that as an act of war, just like i am sure US would consider an attack on one of their satellites an act of war. Retaliation could ensue as soon as other forces are ready.
In the remote chance that such satellites would remain operational during a possible invasion, they'd be single most useful intelligence gathering platforms for PLA, period. And it could be real time data, no less.
If not, why not? I do not believe there are any laws prohibiting it, even though it would surely be frowned upon politically by both taiwan and US governments.
No matter what the political repercussions, the benefit of 3-5 satellites right over taiwan 24/7, with optical and SAR sensors would be immense. Even if taiwan is capable of taking them out, chinese would have every right to interpret that as an act of war, just like i am sure US would consider an attack on one of their satellites an act of war. Retaliation could ensue as soon as other forces are ready.
In the remote chance that such satellites would remain operational during a possible invasion, they'd be single most useful intelligence gathering platforms for PLA, period. And it could be real time data, no less.