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From: jwm@stdc.jhuapl.edu (Jim Meritt)
Newsgroups: sci.crypt
Subject: Re: Spy Satellites Again
Message-ID: <430@aplcomm.UUCP>
Date: 5 May 88 15:36:39 GMT
References: <23855@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> <1066@thumper.bellcore.com> <11962@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>
Sender: news@aplcomm.UUCP
Reply-To: jwm@stdc.jhuapl.edu.UUCP (Jim Meritt)
Organization: The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Lines: 22

In article <11962@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU> trainor@lanai.UUCP (Vulture of Light) writes:
>In article karn@thumper.bellcore.com (Phil R. Karn) writes:
>> "Satellites hundreds of miles in space that can detect ground
>>  objects less than an inch wide."
>> 
>> Anyone care to comment?
}
}Also, the U.S. monitors space junk probably much smaller than 1 inch.
}Each piece is a potential missile or something to rip through a shuttle
}or whathaveyou.


I am inclined to believe that this detection is based on the ability
to differentiate the object from its background (i.e. none).  An object
against the ground would probably be much harder unless there was some
characteristic which enabled easy separation.


Disclaimer: Individuals have opinions, organizations have policy.
            Therefore, these opinions are mine and not any organizations!
Q.E.D.
jwm@aplvax.jhuapl.edu 128.244.65.5  (James W. Meritt)