But Washington has failed to make enough of this capability available to American civilian satellites.

That is an enormous step forward from the first civilian satellite, launched in 1972, which had a resolution of about 260 feet.

The Government refused, saying civilian satellites have similarities to military systems and would not be granted export licenses.

Second, the Pentagon, worried that high-powered civilian satellites will threaten national security, has promoted efforts to limit and control the development of such systems.

Concessions for downloading is only issued to civilian satellites, yet some data has been indirectly used by armed forces.

Launches of government payloads, including military, civilian and scientific satellites, is the largest market segment at nearly $100 billion a year.

They are considering the transfer of a system of civilian photographic satellites to the military.

We've got a signal from her coming through a patchwork of civilian satellites and relays.

President Bush has approved the sale of three civilian satellites to China and lifted a trading ban.

For example, a civilian satellite can carry military transponders and vice versa.