During the war on Afghanistan, the US simply paid for all the
satellite time on the domestic birds. Not that the US didn't have
better photos, but it prevented the news services from seeing troop
movements, etc. This article goes into the US DOD photo purchases:
http://www.spacedaily.com/news/spysat-01c.html

You can find birds flying over the ranch using "heavens above":
http://www.heavens-above.com/



The_Delta_Group@webtv.net (Company Classified) wrote in message news:<1332-3F6A0C15-167@storefull-2298.public.lawson.webtv.net>...

here is a link to just one of the  storys (outdated) on then impending
bills on satellite shutter control due to possible national security
interest.
click this link..
http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=11944