Re: Spy Satelites

[Richard Tarara <rtarara@SAINTMARYS.EDU>]

A recently launched commercial satellite that can take hi-res photos (for
sale) has a resolution of 3 meters.  It was openly stated in their info that
resolutions down to a meter were possible (with unclassified equipment).  To
resolve Jim's license plates (to read the numbers--of course the car has to
be vertical ;-) would require something on the order of a few centimeters
and may be stretching it, but I would assume resolutions of .5 meters and
maybe .25 meters are within the capabilities of 'spy satellites'--resolving
basketball size objects.

Rick

----- Original Message -----
From: "Shawn Knudsen" <shawn.knudsen@NSANPETE.K12.UT.US>
To: <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
Sent: Sunday, December 12, 1999 6:48 PM
Subject: Spy Satelites


> I advise a youth group for my church and while talking with
> a couple of teenage boys the subject of spy satelites came
> up.  One of the boys mentioned that he saw in a Scholastic
> News Magazine that the U.S. has spy satelites that can read
> (resolve) the date on a dime from space.  I schoffed at that
> remark but told the boys that I would look into the matter.
> Does anyone on this list have solid information that I could
> take back to these curious boys?