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U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

US
gov defenseFounded 1961
United States
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All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.

In 2018, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency planned to hand over responsibility for acquiring commercial satellite imagery to the National Reconnaissance Office.

Mentioned as: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)Narrative GeneralJun 3, 2019NRO awards study contracts to BlackSky, Maxar and Planet

The committee urges the National Reconnaissance Office to procure commercial imagery from vendors to the maximum extent practicable and to work with multiple commercial providers for high and medium-resolution global coverage and high revisit rates.

Mentioned as: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)Narrative GeneralJun 3, 2019Space policy provisions but no Space Force language in HASC subcommittee bill

The National Reconnaissance Office planned to seek vendors offering other types of imagery, including radar.

Mentioned as: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)Org RelationshipJun 3, 2019NRO awards study contracts to BlackSky, Maxar and Planet

The National Reconnaissance Office issued a study contract to Planet Federal, a Planet subsidiary established in 2018 to work closely with U.S. government agencies.

Mentioned as: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)Org RelationshipJun 3, 2019NRO awards study contracts to BlackSky, Maxar and Planet

Based on RFI responses, the National Reconnaissance Office awarded study contracts of undisclosed value to BlackSky, Maxar, and Planet.

Mentioned as: National Reconnaissance OfficeOrg RelationshipJun 3, 2019NRO awards study contracts to BlackSky, Maxar and Planet

The National Reconnaissance Office awarded commercial imagery study contracts to BlackSky Global, Maxar Technologies, and Planet.

Mentioned as: National Reconnaissance OfficeOrg RelationshipJun 3, 2019NRO awards study contracts to BlackSky, Maxar and Planet

The directors of NGA and NRO must brief the committee by 2019-10-01 on efforts to create an open and fair competitive acquisition process for commercial imagery.

Mentioned as: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)Narrative GeneralJun 3, 2019Space policy provisions but no Space Force language in HASC subcommittee bill

United Launch Alliance received a U.S. Air Force contract modification on 2019-05-09 for a Delta IV Heavy launch of the NROL-68 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office.

Mentioned as: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)Org RelationshipMay 20, 2019SpaceX files bid protest in federal court

The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center awarded United Launch Alliance a $149,000,000 contract modification on 2019-05-09 for a Delta 4 Heavy launch of the National Reconnaissance Office mission NROL-68.

Mentioned as: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)Org RelationshipMay 14, 2019Cost of Delta 4 Heavy launches is down but the real price is a secret

Under the Launch Vehicle Production Services contract, United Launch Alliance was awarded three NRO missions in October 2018: NROL-91, NROL-68, and NROL-70.

Mentioned as: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)Org RelationshipMay 14, 2019Cost of Delta 4 Heavy launches is down but the real price is a secret

United Launch Alliance reduced costs for the NRO bulk purchase of three launches by negotiating better rates with suppliers, including a record-low price for Aerojet Rocketdyne’s RL-10 upper stage engines.

Mentioned as: NROOrg RelationshipMay 14, 2019Cost of Delta 4 Heavy launches is down but the real price is a secret

United Launch Alliance was awarded three NRO missions—NROL-91, NROL-68, and NROL-70—under the LVPS contract in October 2018.

Mentioned as: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)Org RelationshipMay 9, 2019ULA awarded Delta 4 Heavy launch contract for NRO mission

The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center awarded United Launch Alliance a $149,000,000 contract modification for a Delta 4 Heavy launch of the National Reconnaissance Office mission NROL-68.

Mentioned as: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)Org RelationshipMay 9, 2019ULA awarded Delta 4 Heavy launch contract for NRO mission

The National Reconnaissance Office currently collaborates with the Air Force and other services and would need to collaborate with a created Space Force.

Mentioned as: National Reconnaissance OfficeOrg RelationshipMay 1, 2019Senate Intelligence Committee leaders voice support for NRO nominee Scolese

The National Reconnaissance Office was established in 1961 as a joint intelligence community and Department of Defense organization to develop, launch, and operate signals, imagery, and communications satellites.

Mentioned as: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)Narrative GeneralMay 1, 2019Senate Intelligence Committee leaders voice support for NRO nominee Scolese

Mark Warner was concerned that the administration might try to merge the National Reconnaissance Office with the Space Force if Congress approves the new military branch.

Mentioned as: National Reconnaissance OfficeOrg RelationshipMay 1, 2019Senate Intelligence Committee leaders voice support for NRO nominee Scolese

Mark Warner warned that regardless of reorganization, the National Reconnaissance Office will have to collaborate more closely with the Department of Defense as space becomes more militarized and adversaries threaten U.S. satellites.

Mentioned as: National Reconnaissance OfficeOrg RelationshipMay 1, 2019Senate Intelligence Committee leaders voice support for NRO nominee Scolese

Christopher Scolese intends to apply lessons from NASA about using commercially developed satellites to National Reconnaissance Office programs.

Mentioned as: national reconnaissance officeTechnical ProductMay 1, 2019Senate Intelligence Committee leaders voice support for NRO nominee Scolese

The Space Force will closely work with the National Reconnaissance Office regardless of whether the NRO is merged into the new service.

Mentioned as: NROOrg RelationshipApr 17, 2019Why the Space Force can’t merge with the NRO

Space Policy Directive 4 directed a study, due in mid-August, on how the Department of Defense and the National Reconnaissance Office can better align their activities.

Mentioned as: National Reconnaissance OfficeTechnical ProductApr 17, 2019Why the Space Force can’t merge with the NRO
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