Guest Speaker Discusses the History of Film-based Intelligence Satellites

At the February Luncheon, Ricky J. Deutsch delivered a presentation on HEXAGON, the history of film-based reconnaissance satellites. During the Cold War, the United States evolved reconnaissance, resulting in today's real-time video technology. Initially, the film was used in satellites to monitor treaty compliance and intelligence gathering of the Soviet Union and other denied areas. The vehicle, HEXAGON, was 60 feet long and took pictures from 100 miles up. The program was urgent and required cooperation between the CIA and the U.S. Air Force, guided by the National Reconnaissance Office. A chapter member, Andrew Watters, demonstrated a prototype of a wearable augmented reality helmet that uses a see-through display and a panoramic camera mount to provide thermal vision overlaid on the real world, as well as targeting and symbology.

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