Intelligence
Op-ed | Why a ‘hybrid’ space architecture makes sense for economic and national security
Once-in-a-generation advances in commercial technology will fundamentally strengthen the U.S. economic and security posture in space
NRO’s spy satellite fleet to become more diverse
NRO Director Scolese said the agency will continue to build large, bespoke satellites but also will increasingly rely on lower cost commercial smallsats
Rocket Lab launches classified mission for National Reconnaissance Office
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched a National Reconnaissance Office mission Aug. 4 at 1:00 a.m. Eastern. The NROL-199 mission lifted off from the company’s Launch Complex-1 at Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.
National Reconnaissance Office seeks proposals from commercial providers of RF space imagery
The National Reconnaissance Office has released a request for proposals from commercial providers of space-based radio frequency (RF) imagery.
NRO space missions mark new level of US-Australia cooperation
Two Rocket Lab launches for the National Reconnaissance Office carry classified spy satellites that the U.S. intelligence agency developed jointly with the Australian government.
Space Force establishes intelligence unit to put sharper focus on orbital threats
The Space Force on June 24 established Space Delta 18, a unit that will run the National Space Intelligence Center at Wright Patterson Air Force Base
Space Force to establish intelligence unit at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
The U.S. Space Force on June 24 plans to formally establish the National Space Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Planet reveals $146 million NRO award and quarterly revenues
Planet revealed the value of its largest contract to date, a two-year $146 million award from the National Reconnaissance Office to provide imagery over two years, during the company’s June 14 earnings call.
Analysts: NRO contracts will have long-term ripple effects on satellite imagery industry
The contracts recently awarded by the National Reconnaissance Office to BlackSky, Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs will likely reshape the imagery market, says a new report from Quilty Analytics.
BlackSky, Maxar, Planet win 10-year NRO contracts for satellite imagery
The National Reconnaissance Office announced May 25 it awarded BlackSky, Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs 10-year contracts to provide satellite imagery for U.S. intelligence, defense and federal civil agencies.
Military looking for new ways to acquire and use commercial satellite data
Space Systems Command is trying to figure out how to exploit traditional and new types of commercial space data
SpaceX moved NROL-85 from the Cape to Vandenberg at no extra cost, in exchange for reusing booster
The NRO and SpaceX worked out a deal to move NROL-85 to the West Coast at no extra cost to the government and in exchange the NRO agreed to fly the mission on a reused first stage
Report: U.S. defense and intelligence agencies slow to embrace small-satellite revolution
The United States is at risk of being outpaced by China in space capabilities, in part due to the slow adoption of commercial innovations such as small satellites, warns a new report released May 5 by the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.
DoD intelligence chief: U.S. made ‘gutsy decision’ to release sensitive imagery to counter Russia’s deception ops
Undersecretary of Defense Ronald Moultrie: The decision to release satellite imagery and other intelligence on Russia’s movements 'was not taken lightly'
Dixon calls for greater transparency and data interoperability
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is underscoring the need to fuse intelligence datasets, like geospatial intelligence, signals intelligence, human intelligence, said Stacey Dixon, U.S. deputy director of national intelligence.
PredaSAR nears first launch of its radar imaging constellation
Radar imaging startup PredaSAR is preparing to deploy its first satellite on the SpaceX Transporter 6 rideshare, projected to launch in October.
