A few weeks ago we introduced a word to Reddit users [derekcz] And [Xerbot] I managed to receive the 2232.5MHz telemetry downlink from the Falcon 9 top stage and extract some interesting plain text strings. With further tampering with the software, the vehicle video stream is decoded, resulting in some truly amazing footage of the missile and its payload from low Earth orbit.
Unfortunately, those heady days seemed like they were over now [derekcz] I mentioned that the downlink from the latest Falcon 9 mission is none other than the clear sound. Since the hardware and software haven’t changed on its part, the only logical conclusion is that SpaceX wasn’t particularly happy with radio amateurs listening to their rockets and decided to use some form of encryption.
Since this data was clearly broadcast for nearly a decade before anyone on Earth was aware of it, it’s easy to see this as an overreaction. After all, what harm would it do to some nerdy who used an antenna hacked together to snoop on a number of Starlink satellites? [derekcz] I think letting hobbyists capture these scenes of outer space could get the company positive hype, something Elon Musk doesn’t seem like enough.
On the one hand, we know that SpaceX is actively pursuing more lucrative national security launch contracts for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy. For this sensitive government loadThe regular, screen telemetry data and space offerings were removed from the company’s official live broadcast. It appears that the Pentagon is very interested in finding out how civilians can obtain this information, and a guarantee from SpaceX that the link will be encrypted for all future flights could help ease the problem.
At the end of the post [derekcz] The echo of the sentiment we recently heard from other amateur radio operators, is that space will soon become prohibited for us civilians. When the ancient weather satellites start to fail And replace them with newer and more complex models, today Capture satellite images using RTL-SDR and a few lines from Python They will most likely be numbered.
–
