 | The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (January 2012) |
A reconnaissance satellite or intelligence satellite (commonly, although unofficially, referred to as a spy satellite) is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications.
The first generation type (i.e., Corona[1][2] and Zenit) took photographs, then ejected canisters of photographic film which would descend back down into Earth's atmosphere. Corona capsules were retrieved in mid-air as they floated down on parachutes. Later, spacecraft had digital imaging systems and downloaded the images via encrypted radio links.
In the United States, most information available about reconnaissance satellites is on programs that existed up to 1972, as this information has been declassified due to its age. Some information about programs before that time is still classified information, and a small amount of information is available on subsequent missions.
A few up-to-date reconnaissance satellite images have been declassified on occasion, or leaked, as in the case of KH-11 photographs which were sent to Jane's Defence Weekly in 1984,[3] or US President Donald Trump tweeting a classified image of the aftermath of a failed test of Iran's Safir rocket in 2019.[4][5]
- ^ "Corona History". National Reconnaissance Office]. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- ^ "Corona Program". Mission and Spacecraft Library. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ Wright, Michael; Herron, Caroline Rand (8 December 1985). "Two Years for Morison". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ Brumfiel, Geoff (30 August 2019). "Trump Tweets Sensitive Surveillance Image of Iran". NPR. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
- ^ Oberhaus, Daniel (3 September 2019). "Trump Tweeted a Sensitive Photo. Internet Sleuths Decoded It". Wired (San Francisco, Calif.). Wired. ISSN 1059-1028.