Confirmation of Real Time Satellite Imagery from Spy Satellites?

Update: NPR covers the new rules in a series of pieces begun today on All Things Considered. Among the discussants: Steven Aftergood and John Pike, who does a good job distinguishing between the movie/tv view of spy satellites and real life.

——original post - same day, just earlier——

The Wall Street Journal offers up analysis of new rules that allow federal and local authorities access to spy satellites and their data. One thing that popped out for me: apparent confirmation that these satellites provide real time data.

Access to the high-tech surveillance tools would, for the first time, allow Homeland Security and law-enforcement officials to see real-time, high-resolution images and data, which would allow them, for example, to identify smuggler staging areas, a gang safehouse, or possibly even a building being used by would-be terrorists to manufacture chemical weapons.

Also discussed: privacy and legal issues around the decision.