"It inspired movies like 'Enemy of the State' and 'Sum of All Fears' that have been criticized for years as 'Big Brother' caricatures. Movies' exaggerated plots and glitzy special effects have had a major influence on popular culture, even to the point of making the public feel as if the government is really spying on it. The pandering to conspiracy theories and super-agent spy equipment imagery sells tickets, and persuades plenty of theater-goers that reality is right there behind the big screen. But the actuality, located in the beautiful city of Thornton, Colorado, is a whole other story. ... The IKONOS satellite lifted in 1995, as one of the first commercial use satellites launched. Its powerful lens is capable of producing some of the most advanced images ever put in the public eye. Since then, that public has had an opportunity to see some of the most amazing images every produced. We see them everywhere, and sometimes wonder who's producing them. And it's the IKONOS satellite, which was contracted, built, and launched by Lockheed, giving us this closer eyeful of the world."



Read the article here...