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Developments in satellite surveillance (also called "remote sensing") are also occurring at a fast pace, and embrace features similar to those of more conventional visual surveillance. Satellite resolution has constantly improved over the past decade. Since the end of the Cold War, companies such as EarthWatch, Motorola and Boeing have invested billions of dollars to create satellites capable of mapping the most minute detail on the face of the earth.
A commercial satellite capable of recognizing objects the size of a student's desk was launched from the United States in September 1999 and began releasing images in October 2000.[303] The Ikonos is the most powerful commercial imaging satellite ever built. Its parabolic lens can recognize objects as small as one meter anywhere on earth and, according to the company, viewers can see individual trees, automobiles, road networks, and houses. The satellite, owned by Denver company Space Imaging, will be the first of a new generation of high resolution satellites using technology formerly restricted to government security agencies. Another ten companies have received licenses to launch equally powerful satellites and several are expected to launch shortly.
The technology is already being used for a vast range of purposes from media reporting of war and natural disasters, to detecting unlicensed building work and even illegal swimming pools. Public interest groups are using the information to show images of nuclear testing by countries and even images of secret United States bases such as Area 51 in Nevada.[304]
While industry looks for the opportunity to exploit current spy satellite technology, a great deal of effort is being made to integrate the existing images with ground-based Geographic Information System (GIS) databases than can provide detailed data on human activity. Double clicking on a satellite image of an urban area can reveal precise details of the occupants of a target house. The "Open Skies" policy accepted worldwide means that there are few restrictions of the use of the technology.[305]
But the companies have a distance to go before they catch up with governments. It is estimated that the current generation of secret spy satellites such as the Ikon/Keyhole-12 can recognize objects as small as 10cm across and some analysts say that it can image a license plate.[306] Boeing recently landed a 10-year contract from the United States Government for a Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) to replace the KH satellites and the ground infrastructure.[307] The FIA is based on a constellation of new satellites that are smaller, less expensive, and placed in orbit to allow for real-time surveillance of battlefields and other targets.
http://www.privacyinternational.org/survey/phr2003/threats.htm#Satellite%20Surveillance