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From: XBRX@VAX5.CIT.CORNELL.EDU (Egan H. Greenstein)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Hubble Space Telescope goes Recon
Message-ID: <1991Apr23.053603.23229@amd.com>
Date: 23 Apr 91 01:17:00 GMT
Sender: military@amd.com
Organization: Cornell University
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From: "Egan H. Greenstein" <XBRX@VAX5.CIT.CORNELL.EDU>


A couple of months ago, I was reading a Tom Clancy-esque technomilitary
novel whose name escapes me for the moment. (It's irrelevant, anyway.)
In it, "they" use the Hubble Space Telescope as a recon satellite. My
question is, IS THIS POSSIBLE???

My knowledge on the subject is fairly limited, but I see a lot of
potential in HST. Extremely sensitive optics, a fine tracking system,
an established data downlink system. Except for the fact that it was
built for the express purpose of NOT having to look through the
atmosphere, on the surface it seems to hold promise.

If I was feeling cynical, I might suggest that the defective mirror
was really an excuse by the DOD to downplay the sensitivity of the HST,
and even to free up telescope time for "other uses." Good thing I'm
not feeling cynical, huh? :*)

Thoughts, comments, white hot flames?

	[The *last* time this topic came up the consensus seemed
	 to be that Hubble has too narrow a field of view and is
	 too sensitive to be useful for recon, but if anyone wants
	 to repeat themself be my guest. --CDR]

Egan H. Greenstein, XBRX@CORNELLA