Product Description This comprehensive collection of over 2000 official documents and 25 videos provides extraordinary information on the work of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and its "spy satellite" network. It includes previously secret documents released in 2011 on two critical satellite programs, Gambit and Hexagon. NRO is celebrating its 50th anniversary "of vigilance from above" by revealing fascinating details about its history and satellite programs. NRO released more than 90 historical records to accompany the formal announcement declassifying the GAMBIT and HEXAGON satellite reconnaissance programs on September 17, 2011. These records consist of documents, photographs, diagrams, seven program histories, and two videos. They clearly depict the tremendous challenges that were overcome to make these satellite programs succeed. Documents include: A History of the Hexagon Program, Development of the Gambit and Hexagon Satellite Reconnaissance Systems, The Gambit Story, The Hexagon Story, the seven-volume History of Satellite Reconnaissance (The Perry Histories), and more. In addition to the incredible material about the satellite programs, there is extensive coverage of NRO history, with organizational and program histories; leaders and pioneers, and information on the Corona program. There is material from the Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance. In December 1996, the NRO announced for the first time, in advance, the launch of a reconnaissance satellite. Corona was the nation's first photo reconnaissance satellite system, operating from August 1960 until May 1972. There is a reproduction of the formerly top secret History of Satellite Reconnaissance, prepared for the NRO, with a fascinating history of the program. Twelve video clips in MPG format from the NRO which explain the Corona spy satellite program, showing rocket launches, animations, and flight hardware. NRO designs, builds and operates the nation's reconnaissance satellite