There are currently at least 8 and possibly as many as a dozen
satellites "watching" Bahgdad with multiple cameras each yielding
nearly continuous coverage. Imaging capability includes visual, IR,
and radar images with computer merging of the multiple techniques. It
provides real time framed capability, not merely static images. It can
deliver this image information under clear sky conditions as well as at
night and through cloud cover. Even at night under cloud cover
resolution is perfectly adequate for detecting and tracking vehicles.
Vehicles may be identified and tracked by either headlights or their
thermal image from engine heat. The exact position of any particular
object in an image relative to ground can easily be determined and
tracked across successive frames. Rumor has it that daytime
resolution is sufficient that NSA has been forced to deem even
"inadvertant" targeting and observation of a nude beach as a career
limiting offense. Additionally, Predator aircraft may or may not be in
the air.