NRO
NRO signs agreements with six commercial providers of space-based RF data
The NRO awarded study contracts to commercial RF providers Aurora Insight, HawkEye 360, Kleos Space, PredaSAR, Spire Global and Umbra Lab.
ULA’s Delta 4 prepares for final West Coast launch as Vandenberg seeks new tenants
After completing the NROL-91 mission, ULA will start vacating SLC-6 and consolidate operations at SLC-3
GAO: Defense, intelligence agencies need a better plan to buy commercial satellite imagery
U.S. defense and intelligence agencies are not taking advantage of available commercial imagery due to slow and cumbersome procurement methods, said a GAO report.
NRO to add more commercial imagery providers as it builds a ‘hybrid architecture’
The National Reconnaissance Office expects to select next month multiple providers of radio-frequency data collected by commercial satellites.
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.
NRO satellite upgrades delay the second of two back-to-back Rocket Lab launches
Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck: All the talk about responsive launch often ignores the reality that if satellites aren’t ready on time, they can’t take advantage of rapid launch capabilities
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.
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.
National Reconnaissance Office partners with U.K. on space mission to fly on Virgin Orbit rocket
The U.S. National Reconnaissance Office and the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense will launch a joint mission this summer on Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket.
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
NRO plans for immediate and long-term acquisition of commercial satellite data
The National Reconnaissance Office has issued contracts to satisfy immediate needs for commercial satellite data, while drafting requirements to bring commercial capabilities into an integrated architecture that includes classified U.S. government systems.
SpaceX launches NROL-85 spy satellite for U.S. National Reconnaissance Office
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a U.S. National Reconnaissance Office spy satellite into orbit April 17 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
NRO warns satellite operators of possible Russian attacks
The director of the National Reconnaissance Office, Christopher Scolese, warned that Russia’s military could target satellites in space to disrupt communications and GPS services.
Terran Orbital touts military and defense contracts ahead of going public
Terran Orbital executives told investors the company is heavily weighted toward government work and expects significant revenues from defense and intelligence contracts
