Founded in 1993 by brothers Tom and David Gardner, The Motley Fool is dedicated to making the world smarter, happier, and richer. Through their website, podcasts, books, newspaper column, radio show, and premium investing services, The Motley Fool has helped millions of people achieve financial freedom. While this article offers free opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool's Premium Investing Services, becoming a member provides instant access to top analyst recommendations, comprehensive research, investing resources, and much more. Learn More. Throughout the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, American satellites have played a crucial role in Ukrainian defense. From SpaceX Starlink satellites maintaining communication during destroyed ground-based systems to Maxar and Planet providing open-source imaging of invading forces, these commercial companies have become invaluable military assets. Recognizing that Ukraine's military relies on American satellite images, Russia's naval forces near Crimea have implemented a strategy to deceive satellites. By camouflaging their warships with a paint scheme that alters their silhouette, Russia aims to appear as smaller ships or benign fishing trawlers in digital images, potentially tricking satellites and attacking drones.

Although this camouflage may not be entirely effective, it can still slow down analysis and result in delayed and less accurate intelligence for opposing military forces. Nevertheless, military strategies evolve through a constant game of countermeasures. In response to Russia's camouflage tactics, one potential counter is the use of synthetic aperture radar (SAR). SAR, combined with artificial intelligence and open-source intelligence, can penetrate clouds and camouflage paint, revealing the true nature of the disguised ships. While the companies currently involved in SAR technology and AI analysis are private, the potential for other public companies to enter this market is significant. Publicly traded space companies like Maxar, Planet, and BlackSky, along with AI-focused stocks such as Palantir Technologies, could offer opportunities for investors interested in this emerging trend. As these industries continue to advance, adding these stocks to a watch list could prove beneficial in the future.