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Space Imaging "Half-Meter Resolution" License Approved
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has granted Space Imaging Inc. a license to sell extremely high-resolution satellite photographs to its customers around the world, after a year-long policy review by the White House, Pentagon, State Department and intelligence community. The license prohibits the firm from providing customers with satellite pictures within 24 hours of the time they are taken. The U.S. government reserves the right to 'shutter 'commercial satellites to protect national security, as well as any time "international obligations or foreign policy interests may be compromised."
Space Imaging plans to launch its next-generation imaging satellite in 2004, offering "half-meter resolution".
Space Imaging, is a joint venture led by Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Co. Space Imaging's currently operates Ikonos 1 which provides imagery of objects as small as a meter (39.4 in) in diameter.
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