August M
When regular people pool their money together, they usually buy something small for their neighborhood.
In times of crisis, collective action can scale up to global heights, shifting the balance of power on the ground. A unique crowdfunding effort has done just that by sending a powerful tool into orbit**, reports United24Media.
Eyes in the sky
A crowdfunded spacecraft called the People’s Satellite has become a nightmare for the Russian military. It works around the clock. Since late 2022, this orbital tool has helped Ukrainian military intelligence strike enemy targets worth billions of dollars, according to United24Media.
According to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate, known as HUR, the project has provided over 5,900 images since September 2022. Military teams use this data to pinpoint airfields, fuel depots, and naval bases. Crucially, these detailed pictures allow teams to quickly verify whether their long-range missile and drone strikes hit the exact mark.
Recently, the intelligence agency shared several radar pictures showing Russian facilities. These targets included the Olenya air base and naval ships near Novorossiysk. “The multi-billion-dollar losses of the Russian aggressor are among the results, including those of the ‘People’s Satellite,’ and this systematic work continues,” HUR spokesperson Andrii Yusov said.
How it works
The magic behind the system comes from synthetic aperture radar technology, or SAR. Built by Finnish company ICEYE, these satellites see right through thick clouds and total darkness. It is incredibly precise. Images can reach a resolution of 25 centimeters per pixel, making it easy to spot vehicles hidden under dense trees.
Surprisingly, this space program started because of a change of plans. Ordinary citizens raised 600 million hryvnias in 2022 to buy military drones through the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation. When the drone manufacturer gave the weapons away for free, organizers redirected the cash to buy satellite access instead.
Before this deal, Ukraine relied on satellite data from foreign allies, which often arrived with heavy delays. Direct access cuts that transfer time down to just a few hours. According to the foundation, the satellite flies over the territory twice daily, keeping the data entirely exclusive to the Ukrainian military.
The system even beats local jamming efforts. ICEYE founder Rafał Modrzewski said Ukrainian forces use these radar networks to track troop movements in near real time. Even during temporary restrictions on other Western satellite services, this crowdfunded eye kept working, capturing up to 24 images of a single target daily.
Sources: United24Media
