Chinese Aircraft Carrier Shi Lang Spotted!

Here is an interesting bit of current news that touches on all kinds of topics and issues................

The company DigitalGlobe, a civilian spy satellite company, spotted the proverbial "needle in a haystack", when they chanced to photograph the new Chinese Navy aircraft carrier Shi Lang on it's second sea trial cruise through the Yellow Sea. 

It is amazing that such a clear photograph could have been taken in the first place, but even more amazing that a human analyst detected the ship in a cloud covered surveillance shot.

The Shi Lang was originally an unfinished ship owned by the Soviet Union.  After the Soviet Union breakup, it fell into the hands of the Ukrainian Government.  In 1998, it was auctioned off to the Chinese Government.  The Chinese Government then built it into it's first aircraft carrier.................. to be used for "research and training".  I am sure we will hear more about this new ship in the years to come.

Here is a link to the website for the company DigitalGlobe, that brought this great story to the world:

http://www.digitalglobe.com/


Here is a link to the CNBC story about this sighting:

http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/14/9447273-satellite-spots-chinas-first-aircraft-carrier-at-sea