Abstract: | The great improvement in civil observation satellite capabilities over the past two decades—such that the image quality of civil and military satellites is now converging—is demonstrated with the aid of illustrations. The advantages of such progress, eg. new tools for treaty verification, are discussed. Potential problems, including censorship and denial of access to images of one's own country, which may conflict with the UN Remote Sensing Principles, are also highlighted. It is suggested that work on an ASAT treaty should be made a priority for the future. |