Japan unveils final plans for spy satellites

TOKYO (Reuters) -- Japan has revealed final plans for its first set of spy satellites, set to be launched by the end of March 2003, Kyodo news agency reported Tuesday.

The decision to build the four intelligence satellites was made in November 1998, just months after North Korea test-fired a missile that flew over Japan.

A government source was quoted by Kyodo as giving details of the satellite system, including what sort of satellites will be used.

Two of the four satellites will carry cameras capable of recognizing objects on Earth as small as one yard, while the other two, which use radio waves, will be able to map out images of objects through thick cloud cover.

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