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U.S. Withholding Satellite Data

Posted by timothy on from the derives-from-a-mandate-from-the-masses dept.

plover writes "Because of Congressional legislation passed quietly in 2003, the Air Force Space Command will no longer distribute space surveillance data via NASA. There was supposed a three year transitional period where the data was to be made available via a NASA web site, but earlier this month their transitional server went down hard, and NASA has decided to not rebuild it. (It was scheduled to be shut down on 31 March 2005 anyway.) The only way to obtain satellite data now is by signing up with the official Space-Track website. Part of the agreement to obtaining data from their site is that you agree to not redistribute their data. Of course, amateurs are still free to redistribute their observations, including those of classified satellites."

2 of 274 comments (clear)

  1. The problem with civilian access to satellite ... by roddymclachlan · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    ... images is that they can find out when their goverment is telling lies to start a war ...

  2. It's a mousetrap by theFreeRadical · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I know I have an exceptionally high IQ, but can't any of you figure this out. Connect the dots, the key bits of information where posted. Some high paid official read Tom Clancy and decided that terrorist could use this information to hide their activities when the satellite is overhead. The information is still available, but through a non-government website with an "I'll let you monitor all activity on my computer" EULA. Analysis or how to build a terrorist mousetrap: 1) Get some leverage on someone who runs a space/astronomy website - busting them for smoking pot is a Fed favorite. Oh, don't let them know you busted them. 2) Give them exclusive rights these data only if they use the EULA you provide. 3) Use said leverage to deflect any challenges to monitoring all access to said website. 4) Build a profile on all who access these data. 5) Filter out profiles that match genuine astronomers. 6) Red flag interest in satellites over sensitive areas. 7) Closely monitor all activity from suspect users, looking for anything that can lead to arrest or capture of terrorist cells. To any Feds that may be monitoring this: the above analysis took me less then an hour. My rate is $500/hour. Please contact me directly if you are interested in hiring me for more analysis.