,
6 tweets,
2 min read
Read on Twitter
Very informative thread, which concludes, as other experts have, that the image Trump tweeted was taken by a satellite called USA-224, reportedly operated by the National Reconnaissance Office, perhaps the most secretive of all intel agencies. Some points worth noting...
Bassa notes, "Now that this image has been published, with the orbit of the satellite known, will enable some estimates of the resolution of the Keyhole satellites." The US works hard to make sure that info is NOT publicly known. It's a basic reason these images are classified.
When the gov't does declassify images from satellites, if often modifies the image so that it doesn't give away the satellite resolution. That's another indication that the gov't takes seriously keeping these technical details secret.
Of course, non-gov't experts know lots about how spy satellites work. They've determined or discerned a lot over the years. But I'm aware of no instance in which the president has, w/out explanation, disclosed an image that reveals so much at once about US spying capabilities.
It is the seemingly capricious nature of this disclosure, maybe more than the disclosure itself, that would concern intelligence officials. If the president did discuss with them the pros/cons of releasing this image, he could say so. He has not.
PS--I mentioned the secrecy of the NRO, which owns the satellite in question. Its mission is to maintain these satellites, and keep the world from knowing what they're capable of doing. People at NRO work very hard to do that.
