November 7th, Slopes above Montreux, Switzerland, No 46

"See, Neil, before it could even be delivered, some equipment that I sold to a client has been stolen,, and I was wondering if you could help me locate it". Irina tried to sound nonchalant, as if this sort of ting happened to her everyday.

"Well, my dear, being a detective isn't one of my specialties" he grunted, knowing full well that he was taunting her.

"I know, but these stolen goods are quite big, and the theft happened between Dubai and Muscat, in a country that you know well -Oman. I've tried myself to find my stuff by helicopter and by private plane, but without any results. Because much of Oman is a desert, I believe satellite imagery would be a very effective tool. I thought perhaps it may be a matter of scale, and therefore the satellite imagery could be successful where my flights have failed".

"Ha! Now I understand why you came to me! You should have said so in the first place”. Neil looked annoyed. Suddenly he dropped the lecherous attitude and became all business.

"Irina, tell me, how big is your stuff? I'm asking because satellite imagery, at least in civilian applications, has very obvious limitations, resolution-wise. As you may know, that means the smallest object that can be discerned from another in the imagery. Five meters is a standard today, but before you start complaining let me remind you that a few years ago we were at one hundred meters! Now, I should also add that those son-of-a-bitch military types keep for themselves technology that can actually recognize car license plates, people's faces and who know what other details. Think about this. While we were outside, they could have taken a satellite picture of us and recognized us, and by comparing our images to a computerized data base, positively identified us. And believe me we are not talking about discerning you from me because of my belly or your tits! We're talking about being able to tell if you are wearing sunglasses! Have a look at this table".

Caputo removed from an already open and overflowing drawer, a laminated table of figures comparing satellites and sensors for earth resources satellite systems.
In the column headings were names of the known satellites, such as Landsat and Spot, respectively US and French satellite, and other lesser known such as IRS-1A and 1B, from India, ERS, a European satellite, the MOS-1 from Japan and others from the States and Japan. Under each name the table displayed technical data such as the orbital parameters, frequency of repetition of the same passage, spectral data, resolution, spread as Neil had anticipated, over a large scatter, ranging from five meters to hundred meters.

"Moreover", added Caputo, "look at these data coming from newly released and commercialized Russian imagery, such as the KVR-1000, capable of producing panchromatic photographs with a resolution within two to three meters, depending on the mission flight requirements. This satellite is flown aboard a Kosmos spacecraft which has a nearly circular orbit at about 220km altitude, with a nominal inclination of 65 degrees. Next year, a private consortium will put into orbit a new bird -in panchromatic- with a one meter resolution for civilian applications"

"OK, Neil, listen, my stuff is quite big. Let's say a convoy of 12 oversized trailers. There shouldn't be any problem in detecting it with the satellite imagery, but before we go any further, let me tell you this: you better consider yourself bound by professional privilege. I want complete confidentiality".

Caputo didn't even listen to the last part, he was already excited by the bit of informaton he had gleaned about the convoy.
"Twelve trailers? My God, Irina, are you dealing with intercontinental missiles, airplanes, or what?".
Caputo licked his thick lips.

"Neil, what is in the containers isn't important, at least for you. I cannot release this information, but if you'll help me I'll make sure that you are properly rewarded!".

"Gee, Irina, if you were to reward me personally, I mean, very personally, I think I would move the world for you".
Caputo sprawled back in his chair, letting his foot casually slide across the floor and touch the toe of Irina's high-heeled boot.