U.S. intelligence community plans to make broader use of commercial satellite photos for intelligence
CHANTILLY, Va. – Starting in 1961, the National Reconnaissance Office has been designing, building, launching, and operating the U.S. fleet of satellites for intelligence imagery. Over the years, that mission has evolved, bolting on new components and missions. C4ISRnet reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
4 Aug. 2020 -- Now the NRO is looking to move beyond the status quo by issuing new contracts late this year to reshape the intelligence community’s relationship with the commercial satellite remote sensing industry.
NRO officials, however, say they don't want any commercial imaging company to exist solely to support government requirements; there should be a real commercial market for these capabilities, which will help drive down costs for the government.
“I think the best philosophy that underpins that is one that says ‘We really are looking to buy everywhere we can and only build what we have to—what’s really not available on the commercial market," says Peter Muend, the head of NRO’s commercial imagery efforts.
John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
