On Dec 2, 12:31 am, Pat Flannery wrote:
WaltBJ wrote:
You're looking at two different missions. A little thought should tell
you what determined the size of the KH sats. Hint:
you wouldn't take a pair of opera glasses along on a hunt for mountain
goats.

There's some info on the various types hehttp://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/imint/
And mirror diameter is of course vital for resolution.
Pat

Pat et al.
In the 60's there was a near sci-fi theory on,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aperture_synthesis

It's becoming practical reality here,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Binocular_Telescope

Those are demo'd unclassified civilian applications.

Going back to the future, classified military physical
applications can be 5-10 years advanced.
Ken