Since 1960 a small network of secret agents has provided presidents with information that shaped national security and quite possibly averted a nuclear apocalypse. Ironically, Project Corona stemmed from the lace of intelligence information gathered regarding the state and readiness of the Soviet Union's nuclear force. In 1960, Corona was the program that began providing information to the president. Many of the historical documents relating to Corona and the policies of its preceding years still remain classified. The issue of secrecy occasionally leads historians to make certain assumptions regarding the issue in order to fill a void.
Secrecy does complicate our ability to interpret history.
Since Corona was notably a closely-guarded secret for so many years its declassification inevitably changes the way we perceive our history. We can better understand the advent and development of the Corona program, the surrounding secrecy, and its impact on history, through understanding the politics and policies preceding Corona and through recently released historical information on the program.