There’s increasing scrutiny in the press of the Pentagon’s decision to launch two imagery satellites.
A feature in today’s New York Times notes that the last satellite acquisition program called Future Imagery Architecture was a collosal failure. The planned satellites have a very similar capability as the GeoEye and Digital Globe satellites that are already in orbit. A quote from GeoEye’s CEO Matthew O’Connell in this piece seems to sum up the sentiment, “At a time when there are so many demands on government resources, why do they want to go out and procure their own system?”
Another story by the Associated Press also points out past problems, but emphasizes the military’s wish to be able to revisit a spot on the Earth more than once or twice a day.
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You know we are in trouble when someone in Mr. Munson’s position reinforces the notion that Google somehow owns satellites or satellite imagery. Someone should inform him of the Eagle Vision program, while not perfect, does provide DOD with access to timely commercial imagery.