Part 2/10:
Central to understanding these threats is the sophisticated satellite infrastructure that monitors potential nuclear launches. Positioned in geostationary orbit roughly one-tenth of the way to the Moon, satellites the size of school buses are tasked with watching over regions like North Korea with relentless vigilance. These high-tech eyes can detect a launch within seconds—an essential feature in countering nuclear threats.
In the scenario discussed, when a missile is launched, the satellite detects the hot exhaust trail almost instantaneously. Within less than a second, the system recognizes a launch, triggering alerts. This swift detection is crucial because it initiates an emergency response chain designed to prevent escalation.