The United States' U2 spy plane remains one of the most remarkable aircraft ever built. With its ability to fly at both high speeds and high altitudes, it has played a key role in reconnaissance since the late 1950's. Unlike the previous images, which were computer-processed from satellite digital data, this image represents a true photograph taken from a U2 aircraft flying about 50,000 feet above the region. We are uncertain of the exact date of the fly-over.
North is to the top of the photograph.
The runways of Hector International Airport are apparent in the northwest corner. The NDSU campus position is labeled. The elongate, N-S directed features in fields in the southeast corner of the image probably represent grooves formed from where icebergs floating in glacial Lake Agassiz dragged against the bottom sediments.