A French high-resolution imaging satellite, named Pleiades, was launched in December.

The first electronic imaging satellite was the KH-11 launched by the NRO in late 1976.

The close-up resolution of today's commercial imaging satellites is comparable to that of the spy world, and their numbers are constantly growing.

One report suggested that the search giant had "launched its own imaging satellite."

NOAA issues licenses for the operation of commercial imaging satellites.

The third Iranian satellite, and the second to be launched successfully using an indigenous rocket, Rasad-1 was Iran's first imaging satellite.

Rasad-1 is an imaging satellite that has been built and launched successfully by Iran.

Fajr, is an imaging satellite which also carries an experimental locally made GPS system.

Zafar-1, is an imaging satellite to be launched in 2012 and will have a resolution better than 80 meters.

On 2008-09-05, Aviation Week reported the first launch would be of optical imaging satellites.