[net.space] Surplus spy satellites -> infra-red telescopes

al@ames.UUCP (Al Globus) (02/01/85)

I've heard that DOD plans to replace it's old early warning satellites with
new ones.  Apparently, early warning satellites are really infra-red
telescopes in geosynchronous pointed at Earth.  Does anyone know anything
about the practicalities of using these 'surplus' infra-red telescopes as
astronomical instruments once the Pentagon is through with them?