The communication protocols used by that old bird are probably still classified.
Military satellites launched into the '80s continued to use analogue transponders and, to some extent to this day, see unauthorized use. The only real deterrent was the difficulty of obtaining inexpensive equipment for satellite bands but the widespread use of DVB and VSATs changed that during the '90s and '00s.
That said, all related documents may very well have been classified at the time (owing especially to the lack of any authentication!) and even when declassify-on dates pass there is often institutional resistance to going through the motions of releasing this material, especially since Lincoln Labs (a contractor) would not be authorized to do so and would have to forward the request on to someone else. A more formal FOIA request, followed by appeals if necessary, can often unstick these wheels since it creates a legal obligation that a more casual media request does not.
It's broadcasting telemetry, isn't there a chance it also accepts commands?
> Military satellites launched into the '80s continued to use analogue transponders and, to some extent to this day, see unauthorized use. The only real deterrent was the difficulty of obtaining inexpensive equipment for satellite bands but the widespread use of DVB and VSATs changed that during the '90s and '00s.
WIRED had an article about this awhile back: https://www.wired.com/2009/04/fleetcom/
This is my question as well.
> To use the satellite, pirates typically take an ordinary ham radio transmitter, which operates in the 144- to 148-MHZ range, and add a frequency doubler cobbled from coils and a varactor diode. That lets the radio stretch into the lower end of FLTSATCOM's 292- to 317-MHz uplink range. All the gear can be bought near any truck stop for less than $500. Ads on specialized websites offer to perform the conversion for less than $100. Taught the ropes, even rough electricians can make Bolinha-ware.
So how insecure is this stuff, really? Radio security seems to be based on "authorities really, really don't want you to do this".
Useless satellite trivia: from time to time, it becomes necessary to adjust the orbit of the satellites (like a wandering disabled satellite). They do not fire boosters to raise/lower the orbit directly as that requires too much fuel. Instead, they speed up/slow down the horizontal speed to increase/decrease altitude. With enough notice, they can do this very incrementally and fuel efficiently.
If someone wants a cheap way to learn orbital mechanics (like why you accelerate/decelerate to raise/lower your orbit), pick up a copy of Kerbal Space Program.
I have no idea about these older satellites, but on modern stuff there's a separate Telemetry, Command, and Control (TT&C) link. Maybe this bird is only transmitting telemetry though?
If it is a communications satellite. It is also a common design pattern for military satellites to be mislabeled as "communications" when they actually do other things. So too is it common for "communications" to also cover intercept of enemy communications.
Old secrets can still be embarrassing.