[nascarnation]

He claims (20 yrs after the fact) that the sat images would let you read the lettering on the manhole covers.

[ExSoldier]

He's probably correct. After all, the agency known as NRO was top secret until the 1990s. Nobody knew we had that capability. These days, if a orbiting camera sees you pull out a pack of cigarettes in the parking lot they can read the surgeon general's warning.