National Intelligence Director James Clapper supports DigitalGlobe‘s application for a license to offer satellite images with a 25-centimeter spatial resolution to non-U.S. government clients, Space News reported Tuesday.
Mike Gruss writes that Clapper’s recommendation on high-resolution commercial imagery has been submitted to the White House.
“As far as I’m concerned, it certainly bodes well for industry,†Clapper told an audience at the annual GEOINT symposium in Tampa, Fla.
“Because there are national security implications, the White House is extremely interested in this,†he added, according to the report.
The U.S. government currently restricts satellite imagery providers from selling geospatial content with a resolution better than 50 centimeters outside the U.S. public sector, according to Gruss’ article.
Gruss reports the departments of Defense, Commerce, State and Treasury are also reviewing DigitalGlobe’s application.
