Slashgeo

Slashdot discuss a story about the U.S. Department of Homeland Security which will start sharing U.S. spy satellite data with law enforcement and other customers. Their summary: "...one of [DHS]'s first objectives will be to use the network to enhance border security, determine how best to secure critical infrastructure and help emergency responders after natural disasters. Sometime next year, officials will examine how the satellites can aid federal and local law-enforcement agencies, covering both criminal and civil law... DHS officials say the program has been granted a budget by Congress and has the approval of the relevant committees in both chambers... Unlike electronic eavesdropping, which is subject to legislative and some judicial control, this use of spy satellites is largely uncharted territory... [A CDT spokesman said] 'Not only is the surveillance they are contemplating intrusive and omnipresent, it's also invisible. And that's what makes this so dangerous." All Points Blog adds a link the NPR articles on the subject.

Via slashdot we are alerted of the debate started with a few months old story. From the entry: "A Seattle blogger, Dan Twohig, was browsing in Microsoft's Virtual Earth when he accidentally came across a photo of a nuclear sub in dry-dock. [...] Twohig's blog is the best source to follow the ongoing debate. No one has asked Microsoft, Google, or anyone else to blur the photo in question. Kind of late now."

Slashdot discuss a U.S. defunct spy satellite falling off orbit. There is also a follow-up story with speculations on that it is a radar satellite named USA 193. While not directly related to remote sensing satellites that us professionals can use, I learned much from the comments, including about adaptive optics and satellites using nuclear power instead of solar power (and rather unrelated, that coal combustion is more radioactive than nuclear waste). The Slashdot summary for the followup: ""Intelligent speculation has led one knowledgeable observer to believe the satellite recently announced to have failed is a radar satellite named USA 193. According to an earlier story on the satellite: 'The experimental L-21 classified satellite, built for the National Reconnaissance Office at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars, was launched successfully on Dec. 14 [2006] but has been out of touch since reaching its low-earth orbit.'" The ArmsControlWonk story leads off with what purports to be a photo from the ground of USA 193." See also related stories below for other spy satellites stories.

Slashdot discuss a story informing us the United States are set to use spy satellites on US citizens. Their summary: "A plan to use U.S. spy satellites for domestic security and law-enforcement missions is moving forward after being delayed for months because of privacy and civil liberties concerns. The plan is in the final stage of completion, according to a department official who requested anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak publicly about it. While some internal agencies have had access to spy satellite imagery for purposes such as assisting after a natural disaster, this would be the first time law-enforcement would be able to obtain a warrant and request access to satellite imagery." Not entirely related, the same site discussed the shooting down of a dying spy satellite in early March. Also from the same site, a discussion on how relatively easy it is to spot satellites and how it makes governments uneasy. Some related stories below.