In this chapter:

1. (1) The term “function” means any duty, obligation, responsibility, privilege, activity, or program.

2. (2)

   1. (A) The term “imagery” means, except as provided in subparagraph (B), a likeness or presentation of any natural or manmade feature or related object or activity and the positional data acquired at the same time the likeness or representation was acquired, including—

      1. (i) products produced by space-based national intelligence reconnaissance systems; and
      2. (ii) likenesses or presentations produced by satellites, airborne platforms, unmanned aerial vehicles, or other similar means.
   2. (B) Such term does not include handheld or clandestine photography taken by or on behalf of human intelligence collection organizations.
3. (3) The term “imagery intelligence” means the technical, geographic, and intelligence information derived through the interpretation or analysis of imagery and collateral materials.

4. (4) The term “geospatial information” means information that identifies the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features and boundaries on or about the earth and includes—

   1. (A) data and information derived from, among other things, remote sensing, mapping, and surveying technologies; and
   2. (B) mapping, charting, geomatics data, and related products and services.
5. (5) The term “geospatial intelligence” means the exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial information to describe, assess, and visually depict physical features and geographically referenced activities on or about the earth. Geospatial intelligence consists of imagery, imagery intelligence, and geospatial information.

(Added Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title XI, § 1112(a)(2), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2682; amended Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title IX, § 933(b)(2), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1866; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title IX, § 921(b), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1568; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVI, § 1621(f), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4054.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Par. (4). Pub. L. 116–283, § 1621(f)(1)(A), inserted “or about” after “boundaries on” in introductory provisions.

Par. (4)(A). Pub. L. 116–283, § 1621(f)(1)(B), struck out “statistical” before “data”.

Par. (4)(B). Pub. L. 116–283, § 1621(f)(1)(C), substituted “geomatics” for “geodetic” and inserted “and services” after “products”.

Par. (5). Pub. L. 116–283, § 1621(f)(2), inserted “or about” after “activities on”.

2003—Par. (5). Pub. L. 108–136 added par. (5).

1997—Par. (4). Pub. L. 105–85 inserted “and” at end of subpar. (A), substituted “geodetic data, and related products.” for “and geodetic data; and” in subpar. (B), and struck out subpar. (C) which read as follows: “geodetic products, as defined in section 455(c) of this title.”

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1124 of Pub. L. 104–201, set out as an Effective Date of 1996 Amendment note under section 193 of this title.