The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is set to launch the first group of satellites to establish its future network of intelligence satellites, with seven operational satellites planned for this year and more to follow through 2028. The NRO aims to increase the timeliness of access, and diversity of communication pathways, and enhance resilience with this new system.
The Breakdown
The launch of the operational satellite system marks a significant step in the NRO's efforts to expand its overhead architecture, collect more data, and provide crucial information to the Pentagon and intelligence community.
The Goal
By increasing the number of satellites operating across multiple orbits and deploying a mix of large and small satellites, the NRO aims to achieve greater revisit rates, increased coverage, and more timely delivery of information. This expansion will make their collection more agile and enhance their resilience by eliminating single points of failure.
