Atlas V blasts off from the Cape with its top secret payload

In late 2004, a fierce closed-door debate on Capitol Hill burst into the open. Several senators announced publicly that they believed Congress was frittering away precious budget dollars on a proposed new version of Misty. At $9.5 billion, it was likely the largest item in the intelligence budget. While being careful not to mention the codename or specific nature of the project, US senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), described the new satellite as "unnecessary, ineffective, overbudget, and too expensive."

Part of the reason for the apparent ineffectiveness, of course, is the skill of the satellite sleuths. Even if the observers do not currently have a bead on Misty, the fact that they have seen it and continue to look for it - and have posted info on pretty much everything else - raises questions about the efficacy and expense of stealth technology in space. "It's not an encouraging data point that these dudes could find the damn thing," observes the University of Maryland's Lewis.

Not surprisingly, the intelligence community isn't happy with the amateur observers. "If we had our druthers, we would prefer that these things not end up on the Internet," says Rick Oborn, an NRO spokesperson. "It's no secret that other countries stop doing what they're doing when the satellites are overhead." Several years ago, then-senator Bob Kerrey (D-Nebraska) went a step further when he suggested that hobbyists who publish spy-sat information online are supporting terrorists.

For a short time after September 11, some hobbyists stopped posting the orbital elements for military satellites. But today the general feeling is that amateur observation is ultimately just that - something anyone could pick up. National governments could do it easily with their sophisticated radar tracking operations. Terrorists could make their own observations with a pair of binoculars and high-school math skills.

Originally posted by pixanomalymade some observations as to the lengths they will go to hide things from not just the target of their efforts.

Originally posted by Syndicate
I noticed that the rocket seemed to be hauling ass. Never known a launch vehicle to travel that fast since Ive lived here 36 years. Maybe its a global radiation detection device to track radioactive materials?

By the way, nice forum you got here!

Originally posted by jackflap
Edited to add: Get this I just checked Syndicates member profile posts. This is the only thread he posted on ever. Creepy man, I don't know.

Originally posted by pixanomaly
Zorgon the person who edited that doc file forgot to clean the properties.
Last edit by someone called Braine and author is noted as comerw ??

Eric Brian
Chief of Media Operations, 45th Space Wing Public Affairs; Deputy Director, NR NPASE-Southeast
Melbourne, Florida Area

Current

* Chief of Media Operations, 45th Space Wing Public Affairs at United States Air Force
* Deputy Director, Navy Reserve Navy Public Affairs Support Element Southeast at United States Navy Reserve

Education
* University of Colorado at Boulder

Industry
Military

Eric Brian’s Experience

*
Chief of Media Operations, 45th Space Wing Public Affairs
United States Air Force

(Government Agency; Military industry)

July 2003 — Present (6 years 3 months)

*
Deputy Director, Navy Reserve Navy Public Affairs Support Element Southeast
United States Navy Reserve

(Military industry)

May 1994 — Present (15 years 5 months)

Eric Brian’s Education

*
University of Colorado at Boulder

Bachelor of Science , Journalism and Mass Communications; Communication

Originally posted by pixanomaly
tried to u2u details but will post open