On Tue, 26 Apr 1994, Phil Karn wrote:
Some time ago I worked out the theoretical limits on spy satellite resolution. It's a simple exercise in optics, if you make optimistic assumptions like no atmospheric distortion, etc. My only major engineering assumption was that the objective mirror had to fit inside the payload fairing of a Titan launcher, i.e., about 2 meters max. The result, at visible wavelengths and for the slant ranges typical of spy satellite orbits, was about 1 foot. This was completely consistent with the leaked KH-11 photos of the Soviet aircraft carrier published some time back in AW&ST and Deep Black. Good, but not exactly good enough to read poker hands, I would say.
What do you get if you assume the largest mirror that can fit in the shuttle cargo bay? ++PLS