Release of Imagery Acquired by Space-Based National Intelligence Reconnaissance Systems
Headline: Declassifies Historical Satellite Imagery and Orders Its Public Release
What it does: Agencies must declassify specified historical satellite imagery, transfer it to the National Archives, and review other imagery for possible public release.
- Corona, Argon, and Lanyard satellite photos will be declassified and publicly available.
- A review program will evaluate other historical imagery for public release within set timeframes.
- The Director of Central Intelligence must report annually to the President on implementation.
Summary
This order requires that historical satellite photos from the Corona, Argon, and Lanyard missions be declassified and transferred to the National Archives, with a copy sent to the U.S. Geological Survey. It also directs the Director of Central Intelligence to set up a program to review other space-based imagery for possible public release, consulting the Secretaries of State and Defense.
The goal is to make as much imagery public as possible while protecting national defense and foreign policy interests. The Director must report annually to the President.
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