First spy satellites using photo-optical

According to Official Guinness Records,

Project CORONA, established in 1959, was the first known use of 'reconnaissance' or 'spy' satellites to gather intelligence. The US project, funded by the CIA and the US Air Force, was established to provide photographic surveillance of Russia and China. The satellites would eject sealed canisters (or 'buckets') of exposed film, which would parachute down for mid-air collection by specially adapted aircraft. The project achieved a number of 'firsts', namely: the first photo taken from a satellite;the first recovery of an object from space and the first in mid-air;the first mapping of Earth from space;the first use of multiple re-entry vehicles;and the first space program to fly 100 missions.

For a complete list of 1959 records, please visit 1959 Guinness Records in China.

Related Images

Other China records that might interest you:

• First silk maps
• Highest consumption of cigarettes (country)
• Oldest known paper
• Highest population, country
• Oldest alcoholic beverage