(DCI) George H. W. Bush. This effort led to the successful test of
the INDIGO prototype imaging radar satellite in January 1982. Al-
though the decision to proceed with an operational system was con-
troversial, development of the Lacrosse system was approved in- Later known as VEGA, this set of intelligence satellites carry
imaging radar that can penetrate cloud cover.
The distinguishing features of the design of the Lacrosse satellite in-
clude a very large radar antenna and solar panels to provide electrical
power for the radar transmitter and a resolution of better than one me-
ter, which presumably is adequate for the identification and tracking of
major military units such as tanks or missile transporter vehicles.
The first version of Lacrosse was launched on 2 December 1988
by the Space Shuttle; Lacrosse 2 was launched on 8 March 1991; and
Lacrosse 3 was launched in the fall of 1997, replacing Lacrosse 1.
See alsoCORONA; KEYHOLE.
LANDSAT.Landsat is a satellite of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) that was launched on 23 July 1972 to conduct
a detailed survey of the earth’s surface. The first Landsat originally
was called the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS), but there
are now at least seven later versions of the satellite in use. The satel-
lites monitor important natural processes and human land use such as
vegetation growth, deforestation, agriculture, coastal and river ero-
sion, snow accumulation and fresh-water reservoir replenishment, and
urbanization. In addition, the United States Geological Survey
(USGS) uses Landsat data to spot the amount and condition of dry
biomass on the ground, which are potential sources for feeding wild-
fires that can threaten humans, animals, and natural resources. Farm-
ers and land managers use Landsat data to help increase crop yields
and cut costs while reducing environmental pollution.LANGER, WILLIAM L. (1896–1977). William L. Langer was the
founder of theOffice of National Estimates (ONE) in the Central In-
telligence Agency (CIA) in 1950 and the chief of research and analysis
in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. AHar-
vard historian by profession, Langer also was the author of several
books on U.S. foreign policy just prior to and during the war. In 1950,
he took a leave of absence from Harvard to organize the ONE, which he114 • LANDSAT05-398 (2) Dictionary.qxd 10/20/05 6:27 AM Page 114