Dr. Donald Kerr, Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, has selected Dr. Paul G. Kaminski and Mr. Sun Yet Wong as 2007 Pioneers of National Reconnaissance. The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) honors as Pioneers those individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the discipline of national reconnaissance. Dr. Kerr will induct Dr. Kaminski and Mr. Wong as members of Pioneer Hall during a ceremony on September 6, at 2 p.m., at the Jimmie D. Hill Auditorium, at NRO Headquarters in Chantilly, Virginia.
Dr. Paul G. Kaminski pioneered the development of a major NRO reconnaissance satellite system. He was instrumental in using aircraft to demonstrate the feasibility of operating reconnaissance sensors from space. Moreover, he introduced new exploitation tools for analysts and enhanced their ability to exploit information from complex system data. Dr. Kaminski’s contributions augmented intelligence capabilities vital to national security. After his career in National Reconnaissance, which spanned from late 1971 to 1976, he served as Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology from 1994 to 1997. Dr. Kaminski is presently the Chairman and CEO of Technovation, Inc and serves on the NRO Technical Advisory Board.
Mr. Sun Yet Wong pioneered multiple technological developments that have contributed to the effectiveness of NRO satellite systems. He oversaw the development of the first structural Finite-Element Modeling tool, STARDYNE, to analyze complex spacecraft structures. Mr. Wong was also the key designer of support equipment for ground-test deployment of satellite solar panels whose application overcame a structural on-orbit deployment anomaly. Later, he introduced the use of a synthetic lubricant to stabilize and extend the life of Control Movement Gyroscopes used on NRO satellites. Mr. Wong’s career in National Reconnaissance spans from 1955 to present day. Presently, he is a consultant for TriSept Corporation and Boeing Space Systems.
Both pioneers’ work set the stage for future NRO advancements. Building upon their revolutionizing successes, today’s NRO strives to provide critical value-added information to the users when they need it. With the addition of these two honorees, seventy-one pioneers have now been selected over the past eight years. Being designated a Pioneer of National Reconnaissance is the highest honor that the NRO can bestow. Commemorative plaques for each of the Pioneers are on permanent display in NRO’s Pioneer Hall at NRO Headquarters.
News media wishing to attend the event must contact the NRO Office of Strategic Communications, on (703) 808-5050, and must be at the NRO Visitor’s Center by 1:30 p.m., on September 6.
