10 July 1998

The National Reconnaissance Office has begun awarding contracts to design, build and operate a communications technology demonstration satellite.

The satellite is the Geosynchronous Lightweight Technology Experiment (GeoLITE), which is an advanced technology demonstration satellite with a laser communications experiment and an operational UHF communications mission. The GeoLITE satellite will weigh approximately 4,000 pounds and be launched on a Boeing Delta II launch vehicle.

TRW Inc. has total system integration responsibility for GeoLITE. Teammates include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratory, which will be responsible for the laser communications payload, and Hughes Space and Communications Company, which will be responsible for the UHF communications payload.

GeoLITE is another example of the NRO engaging in cutting edge technology to assure the United States continues to be the world’s leader in satellite reconnaissance.