| | 9 September 2005 |
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has selected its Pioneer Class of 2005 - four people who made significant and lasting contributions to the discipline of national reconnaissance. The four selectees are Robert E. Eisenhauer, Roger C. Marsh, Edward A. Miller, and Wayne L. Proffitt. The new pioneers will be honored in a ceremony at 2:00 p.m. on Sept. 15 in the Jimmie D. Hill Auditorium at NRO headquarters in Chantilly, Va. Director of National Intelligence, Ambassador John D. Negroponte, is this year's featured speaker. NRO Director (DNRO) Donald M. Kerr will induct this year's honorees into Pioneer Hall at the ceremony where plaques will be permanently displayed in their honor.
Mr. Robert E. Eisenhauer pioneered the techniques that led to precise time-of-arrival signal recovery, and digitization and encryption of data for 1960s- through 1980s-era NRO Program C satellite systems. He further developed these systems to achieve high-speed, real-time, on-board integration, synchronization, and processing of SIGINT data from multiple satellites. These techniques completely changed wide-area SIGINT reconnaissance technology and dramatically improved the accuracy and dissemination timeliness of satellite intelligence products through the present day. His career in national reconnaissance spans from 1962 to present.
Mr. Roger C. Marsh utilized open-source means to pioneer a methodology by which it was possible to consolidate, operate, and manage an organization shrouded in secrecy. He successfully applied his considerable analytical, management, and organizational skills to the challenge of constructing a secure facility and collocating a widely-dispersed operation into the present NRO headquarters in Chantilly, Virginia in 1995. His career in national reconnaissance spanned from 1992 through 2001.
Dr. Edward A. Miller pioneered the design, construction, deployment, and operation of the first man-made object to be recovered from earth orbit. Dr. Miller and his team developed the recovery vehicle for Corona, the highly-successful 1960s space-based photographic reconnaissance system. His achievements in developing the Satellite Recovery Vehicle enabled the Corona program to provide critical intelligence during the Cold War. His career in national reconnaissance spanned from 1959 through 1968.
Mr. Wayne L. Proffitt pioneered the design of the mechanism that enabled satellites to point their communications dishes at relay satellites and maintain continuous contact while still imaging. During his long tenure (1990-1998) as Program Director at Lockheed Martin, Mr. Proffitt overcame many complex engineering obstacles. His contributions included the delivery of capabilities that extended satellite operational lifetimes, enabling the NRO to satisfy mission requirements. His career in national reconnaissance spanned from 1971 through 2002.
The pioneers were selected by DNRO Donald Kerr based on recommendations from a special selection board, and will join 61 pioneers selected over the past five years. Being designated a Pioneer of National Reconnaissance is the highest honor in this field.
News media wishing to attend the event must contact the NRO Office of Corporate Communications at (703) 808-1746 or (703) 808-2528 and must be at the NRO Visitor's Center by 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 15.
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