NGA director pushes back at criticisms of agency, touts ‘wetware,’ tradecraft (EXCLUSIVE)

NGA director pushes back at criticisms of agency, touts ‘wetware,’ tradecraft (EXCLUSIVE)
NGA director pushes back at criticisms of agency, touts ‘wetware,’ tradecraft (EXCLUSIVE)

In an exclusive sit down with Breaking Defense, Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth defended his agency’s role in moving commercial and government satellite data to the field in a timely manner.

Space Force will ‘not support’ delays in ISR, tracking data to shooters: SpOC chief

Space Force will ‘not support’ delays in ISR, tracking data to shooters: SpOC chief
Space Force will ‘not support’ delays in ISR, tracking data to shooters: SpOC chief

Lt. Gen. David Miller, head of Space Operations Command, said the ongoing tussle with the Intelligence Community is like when dogs first meet in a dog park. “The dogs like spend five minutes sniffing each other’s butts. That’s the phase I think we’re in. We just need to get off that,” he said.

Space Force, IC’s battle over commercial ISR reignites as appropriators add fuel

Space Force, IC’s battle over commercial ISR reignites as appropriators add fuel
Space Force, IC’s battle over commercial ISR reignites as appropriators add fuel

More than a dozen sources tell Breaking Defense that tensions between the NGA and Space Force are rising on commercial ISR, with White House officials watching closely.

NGA looking for commercial data to update intel on North Korea

NGA looking for commercial data to update intel on North Korea
NGA looking for commercial data to update intel on North Korea

“Approximately 90 [percent] of our foundational data is unclassified, which helps us share products more broadly with partners and allies across the globe,” a spokesperson for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency told Breaking Defense.

NASA data, analysis needed to help DoD understand UFOs: Commission

NASA data, analysis needed to help DoD understand UFOs: Commission
NASA data, analysis needed to help DoD understand UFOs: Commission

Mike Gold, a former NASA official and member of the study team, told Breaking Defense that if any UAP proves to be extraterrestrial, “that would probably be the best case scenario, because if these systems are from terrestrial adversaries, that is really terrifying.”

Space Force intel focus: 50% on China; 25% on Russia

Space Force intel focus: 50% on China; 25% on Russia
Space Force intel focus: 50% on China; 25% on Russia

China’s “space weaponry” arsenal “includes missiles that launch from the Earth that go up and destroy satellites, it includes lasers, it includes jammers, it includes a whole magazine of diversity for that,” a top Space Force officer said.

Along with new office, Space Force plots new funding pot for commercial buys by 2025

Along with new office, Space Force plots new funding pot for commercial buys by 2025
Along with new office, Space Force plots new funding pot for commercial buys by 2025

Space Systems Command’s new Commercial Space Marketplace for Innovation and Collaboration (COSMIC) facility in Chantilly, Virg., will serve as the “physical headquarters” for the SSC Commercial Space Office.

NRO seeking new electro-optical imagery from private sector

NRO seeking new electro-optical imagery from private sector
NRO seeking new electro-optical imagery from private sector

The NRO is planning to award new contracts for commercial satellite imagery, perhaps including that of other satellites, the spy-sat agency’s head of commercial operations, Pete Muend, said today.

NRO awards 6 study contracts for hyperspectral satellite imagery

NRO awards 6 study contracts for hyperspectral satellite imagery
NRO awards 6 study contracts for hyperspectral satellite imagery

Hyperspectral sensors can “see” what materials a surface is made of and identify individual elements in the surrounding atmosphere. For national security purposes, hyperspectral imagery could for example detect evidence of chemical weapon production and/or use.

Spurred by Ukraine war, 18 Western countries plan to share remote sensing data

Spurred by Ukraine war, 18 Western countries plan to share remote sensing data
Spurred by Ukraine war, 18 Western countries plan to share remote sensing data

“Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the importance of a persistent space surveillance capability,” said the United Kingdom, as European nations (and Canada) band together.

Spy satellite agency NRO awards RF geolocation study contracts to 6 companies

Spy satellite agency NRO awards RF geolocation study contracts to 6 companies
Spy satellite agency NRO awards RF geolocation study contracts to 6 companies

“Since the 2019 award of an integration study contract for commercial RF, we’ve seen increasing demand for this data source from across the user community,” said Chris Scolese, director of the NRO.

EXCLUSIVE: DoD-Commerce yet to hash out review of commercial space data sharing

EXCLUSIVE: DoD-Commerce yet to hash out review of commercial space data sharing
EXCLUSIVE: DoD-Commerce yet to hash out review of commercial space data sharing

Traditionally, DoD and the Intelligence Community — as well as some US allies — have been leery about revealing the position of US national security satellites, because they wish to conceal their activities and characteristics.

‘On the table’: Hicks says DoD, IC considering indemnifying commercial space providers

‘On the table’: Hicks says DoD, IC considering indemnifying commercial space providers
‘On the table’: Hicks says DoD, IC considering indemnifying commercial space providers

“[T]he IC Commercial Space Council is discussing commercial protection right now. We had a meeting on Tuesday, and it came up,” said NGA’s David Gauthier, who chairs the council.

Space Force should heed Ukraine lessons as it revamps structure: CSO nominee Saltzman

Space Force should heed Ukraine lessons as it revamps structure: CSO nominee Saltzman
Space Force should heed Ukraine lessons as it revamps structure: CSO nominee Saltzman

The Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing for Gen. Chance Saltzman as the next, and second, Space Force chief was free of major fireworks — suggesting an easy ‘yea’ vote.