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CORONA Satellite Photographs from the U.S. Geological Survey

Entry ID: CORONA_SATELLITE_PHOTOS

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Summary

Abstract: The first generation of U.S. photo intelligence satellites collected more than 860,000 images of the Earth’s surface between 1960 and 1972. The classified military satellite systems code-named CORONA, ARGON, and LANYARD acquired photographic images from space and returned the film to Earth for processing and analysis.

The images were originally used for reconnaissance and to produce maps for U.S. ... intelligence agencies. In 1992, an Environmental Task Force evaluated the application of early satellite data for environmental studies. Since the CORONA, ARGON, and LANYARD data were no longer critical to national security and could be of historical value for global change research, the images were declassified by Executive Order 12951 in 1995.

The first successful CORONA mission was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1960. The satellite acquired photographs with a telescopic camera system and loaded the exposed film into recovery capsules. The capsules or buckets were de-orbited and retrieved by aircraft while the capsules parachuted to earth. The exposed film was developed and the images were analyzed for a range of military applications.

The intelligence community used Keyhole (KH) designators to describe system characteristics and accomplishments. The CORONA systems were designated KH-1, KH-2, KH-3, KH-4, KH-4A, and KH-4B. The ARGON systems used the designator KH-5 and the LANYARD systems used KH-6. Mission numbers were a means for indexing the imagery and associated collateral data.

A variety of camera systems were used with the satellites. Early systems (KH-1, KH-2, KH-3, and KH-6) carried a single panoramic camera or a single frame camera (KH-5). The later systems (KH-4, KH-4A, and KH-4B) carried two panoramic cameras with a separation angle of 30° with one camera looking forward and the other looking aft.

The original film and technical mission-related documents are maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Duplicate film sources held in the USGS EROS Center archive are used to produce digital copies of the imagery.

Mathematical calculations based on camera operation and satellite path were used to approximate image coordinates. Since the accuracy of the coordinates varies according to the precision of information used for the derivation, users should inspect the preview image to verify that the area of interest is contained in the selected frame. Users should also note that the images have not been georeferenced.

Purpose: The CORONA Image collection was driven, in part, by the need to
confirm purported developments in then-Soviet strategic missile
capabilities. The images also were used to produce maps and charts for
the Department of Defense and for other Federal Government mapping
programs. The CORONA system provided a cost effective method to map the earth
from space with stereo-optical ...

Related URL

Link: VIEW PROJECT HOME PAGE

Description: Query and order satellite images, aerial photographs, and
cartographic products through the U.S. Geological Survey. Log in as a
guest or as a registered user. Registered users have access to more
features than guests do. If you plan on using EarthExplorer frequently, you may wish to register. Please note that this site uses Session Cookies and Java applets.

Geographic Coverage

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Spatial coordinates

N: 90.0

S: -90.0

E: 180.0

W: -180.0

Data Set Citation

Dataset Originator/Creator: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) EROS Center
(EDC)

Dataset Title: CORONA Satellite Photographs

Dataset Release Date: 1995-02-24

Dataset Release Place: Sioux Falls, SD USA

Dataset Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

Data Presentation Form: Photographs

Online Resource: http://earthexplorer.usgs.gov

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1960-08-01

Stop Date: 1972-05-31

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA

CONTINENT > ASIA

Science Keywords

SPECTRAL/ENGINEERING > INFRARED WAVELENGTHS > INFRARED IMAGERY

SPECTRAL/ENGINEERING > VISIBLE WAVELENGTHS > VISIBLE IMAGERY

ISO Topic Category

IMAGERY/BASE MAPS/EARTH COVER

Platform

CORONA

ARGON

LANYARD

Instrument

Cameras

Access Constraints None

Use Constraints There is no guarantee of warranty concerning the accuracy of these data. Users should be aware that temporal changes may have occurred since the data was collected and that some parts of these data may no longer represent actual surface conditions. Users should not use these data for critical applications without a full awareness of their limitations. Acknowledgement of the originating agencies would be appreciated in products derived from these data. Any user who modifies the data set is obligated to describe the types of modifications they perform. User specifically agrees not to misrepresent the data set, nor to imply that changes made were approved or endorsed by the U.S. Geological Survey. Please refer to http://www.usgs.gov/privacy.html for the USGS disclaimer.

Ancillary Keywords

SATELLITE

PHOTOGRAPHS

Data Set Progress

COMPLETE

Originating Center

USGS/EROS

Data Center

Earth Resources Observation and Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior

Data Center URL: http://eros.usgs.gov/
Dataset ID: CORONA Satellite Photography

Data Center Personnel
Name: EROS CENTER Phone: 605-594-6151 Phone: 800-252-4547 Fax: 605-594-6589 Email: lta at usgs.gov Contact Address: LTA Customer Services U.S. Geological Survey EROS Center 47914 252nd Street City: Sioux Falls Province or State: SD Postal Code: 57198-0001 Country: USA

Distribution

Distribution Media: Filmscans

Distribution Size: 25-, 14- or 7-microns

Distribution Format: Filmscans

Fees: Scanned: No Costs, $30.00 (USD) service fee per scene for unscanned scenes

Personnel

EROS CENTER

Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT

Phone: 605-594-6151

Phone: 800-252-4547

Fax: 605-594-6589

Email: lta at usgs.gov

Contact Address:

LTA Customer Services

U.S. Geological Survey

EROS Center

47914 252nd Street

City: Sioux Falls

Province or State: SD

Postal Code: 57198-0001

Country: USA

LTA REPRESENTATIVE USGS EROS CENTER

Role: DIF AUTHOR

Email: lta at usgs.gov

Contact Address:

Information Services Department

USGS EROS Center

U.S. Geological Survey

City: Sioux Falls

Province or State: SD

Postal Code: 57198-0001

Country: USA

Extended Metadata Properties

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Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 1999-06-01

Last DIF Revision Date: 2013-04-22

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