Random conversation in Matt McGrath’s office a couple years ago after reading Nick Chrisman’s book we all knew

First SAMOS satellite achieved orbit

• First SAMOS satellite achieved orbit

• Reconnaissance satellite was first to develop film in space, scan the negative, and transmit the image back to Earth
• Cancelled in favor of CORONA due to lesser quality imagery
• 6m resolution, frame readout
• Later versions used film return (1.5m resolution)
• Later used as the NASA Lunar Orbiter mapping camera in 1966
• Selected Apollo landing sites

Military laid many foundations; contracts provided money to several companies that play leading roles in GIS today; some prominent researchers were involved in both the military and academic worlds

• Military laid many foundations; contracts provided money to several companies that play leading roles in GIS today; some prominent researchers were involved in both the military and academic worlds

• E.g., Waldo Tobler working on radar displays for SAGE
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