blackje@sunspot.steinmetz (Emmett Black) (03/30/89)
[reported in April 1989 IEEE Spectrum; summary follows:] The USSR is selling satellite photographs of areas all over the world (with the notable exception of their own back yard) through a subsidiary of the Continential Grain Company, based in New York City. The photos boast a resolution as fine as 5 meters (16.4 feet for those people still hung up on archaic measurements; (they can handle decimals, can't they?)) -- prices range from $300 to $1200 each. The New York Times reported that "U.S. experts believe that the photos were taken by spy satellites" ... Most of the available photos are of areas of reasonably heavy military activity; places like North Dakota (missile silos), Seattle, WA (subs), and even some nice shots of the Peoples Republic of China. Rumor has it that the US Government is now considering releasing some of its OWN nice photographs; ... operators are standing by ... The Soviet photos are available from Sojuskarta; contact ContiTrade Services Corp, 277 Park Ave., New York, NY 10172, or call them at 212/207-5588 (what? no 800 number?!) ... --Emmett J.E.Black; GE Research/K1-3C26; Schenectady, NY 12345 blackje@crd.ge.com; ...!uunet!steinmetz!crd!blackje