U.S. spy satellites used to aid tsunami relief efforts
By: Associated Press | ∞
WASHINGTON -- A U.S. defense agency is using its spy satellites to measure the scope of the devastating tsunami in Asia and help workers manage their relief efforts.
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, a Defense Department component, normally gathers intelligence to support U.S. security.
The agency said Wednesday it is using its satellite imagery to funnel information, including damage assessments of roads, bridges, ports and airfields, to the U.S. agencies handling disaster relief. Those updates are being used to guide where workers and life-support supplies are sent first.
The death toll from the earthquake and tsunamis across 12 nations has approached 77,000, and the International Red Cross warned Wednesday that the toll could surpass 100,000.
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