The official podcast channel of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia. The NRO is a unique agency charged with developing, acquiring, launching, and operating our nation’s spy satellites. The NRO’s greatest responsibility is to protect U.S. national security interests by delivering space-based global situational awareness for national decision-makers — including the U.S. president, Congress, director of national intelligence, secretary of defense, and the warfighter.
***The views, information, or opinions expressed during “The Dish” podcast are solely those of the individual(s) involved and do not necessarily represent that of the National Reconnaissance Office or its employees.***
Speaking on location in New Zealand, NROL-162 and -199 OSL Mission Manager, Maj. Joe Chestnut talks about the two missions, about working with the New Zealand Space Agency, which licensed the launch, and with Rocket Lab, the launch provider.
This recording was conducted just prior to the successful launch of NROL-199.
Maj. Schirner was the mission manager for NROL-85, which launched out of Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on April 17 at 6:13 a.m. Pacific Time. In our first post-launch interview with a mission manager, Maj. Schirner discusses what his experience was like working with the NROL-85 team on this mission.
Featured in this podcast: NROL-85 Mission Manager Maj. Jon Schirner and Deputy Director of NRO's Office of Public Affairs Andrea Williams
For Women’s History Month, NRO invited Dr. Margaret Weitekamp, Curator and Department Chair of the Space History Department for the National Air and Space Museum. Dr. Weitekamp studied as a women’s historian for her undergrad and graduate degrees and has written several publications on women in space. Prior to her joining the Air and Space Museum, she spent a year in residence at NASA headquarters as an American Historical Association NASA Aerospace history fellow. Launch into her spectacular story on the one year anniversary of The Dish.
Featured in this podcast: Curator and Department Chair of the Space History Department for the National Air and Space Museum Dr. Margaret Weitekamp and Director of NRO's Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance Dr. James Outzen
One of the coolest jobs at the NRO is being Mission Manager of a launch. In an exclusive interview with #NROL87 Mission Manager Maj. Emily Stanhouse, we take an inside look at the role, the mission, and the hard work it takes to successfully put a payload on orbit.
Featured in this podcast: NROL-87 Mission Manager Maj. Emily Stanhouse and NRO Public Affairs Officer Jordan Robinson
Each NRO launch (NROL) patch tells a story. Hear about the history of NROL patches on this episode of The Dish. Keep an eye on NRO's social media for the release of "NRO Launch: A Pictorial History (1996-2021)" and for more launch content.
Featured in this podcast: GEOINT Learning Center subject matter expert Edwin Chapman and NRO Public Affairs Officer Victoria Stonesifer.
The NRO Office of Public Affairs sat down with three members of the NRO workforce to discuss diversity in leadership, Hispanic and Latin American culture, and the work of the NRO Hispanic Advisory Network employee resource group.
Featured in this Podcast: NRO Communications Systems Directorate Chief of Staff Jessenia Merced-Gonzalez, NRO Communication Systems Directorate Principal Deputy Director and Senior Champion for the NRO Hispanic Advisory Network Ledia Rivera, NRO Business Plans and Operations Budget Analyst and NRO Hispanic Advisory Network member Roberto Mendives, and NRO Public Affairs Officer Victoria Stonesifer.
The NRO turned 60! To celebrate, The Dish sat down with 3 managers from the NRO's Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance (CSNR).
Featured in this podcast: CSNR Deputy Director Patrick Widlake, CSNR Chief Historian Michael Suk, CSNR Chief of Recognition, Exhibits and Outreach Annie Hakes and NRO Office of Public Affairs Officer Victoria Stonesifer
Last month, the NRO successfully launched NROL-111, a Northrop Grumman Minotaur 1 rocket, from NASA Wallops Flight Facility. In this Episode of The Dish, NRO's Public Affairs team captured an exclusive interview with NRO Director Dr. Scolese, NRO Principal Deputy Director Dr. Troy Meink, IC Space Executive for Office of the Director of Ntional Intelligence (ODNI) J.P. Parker to hear their insights about the mission.
Featured in this Podcast: NRO Director Dr. Scolese, NRO Principal Deputy Director Dr. Troy Meink, IC Space Executive for ODNI J.P. Parker, NRO Public Affairs Director Maura Beard
Just days before NRO's most launch, the Office of Public Affairs interviewed NROL-111 mission manager Capt. Jon Chung. In this episode, Capt. Chung discusses being a mission manager, the NROL-111 team and his preparations for launch.
Featured in this Podcast: NROL-111 Mission Manager Capt. Jon Chung; Public Affairs Officer April Smith
Dr. Eleanor Silverman is the first Enterprise Capabilities Architect for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). In this episode of The Dish, the NRO Office of Public Affairs sits down to learn about Dr. Silverman's and her new role.
Featured in this Podcast: NRO Enterprise Capabilities Architect Dr. Eleanor Silverman; NRO Public Affairs Officer Victoria Stonesifer
From June through August, the NRO Director's Innovation Initiative (DII) will accept proposals for cutting-edge scientific research ideas to discover innovative concepts and creative solutions that could transform overhead intelligence capabilities for future national security needs. In this episode of The Dish, NRO's Office of Public Affairs interviews DII Program Manager Alex Kordell on the process behind the DII program, how to avoid mistakes in the submission process, and what makes a proposal go #AboveandBeyondFrom June through August, the NRO Director's Innovation Initiative (DII) will accept proposals for cutting-edge scientific research ideas to discover innovative concepts and creative solutions that could transform overhead intelligence capabilities for future national security needs.
Featured in the Podcast: Alex Kordell, DII Program Manager; April Smith, NRO Office of Public Affairs
For Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the NRO Asian Pacific American Network (NAPAN) in partnership with the NRO Office of Public Affairs sat down with NRO Pioneer Sam Araki. Mr. Araki discussed his early life, his career and his most recent publication "The 4C1000 Seven Tenets for the 21st Century - The Innovation Secret at the National Reconnaissance Office and Silicon Valley" which can be read here.
Featured in this Podcast: NRO Asian Pacific American Network member Sam Mackin, NRO Pioneer and former President of Lockheed Missiles and Space Sam Araki
One month ago today, NRO Director Dr. Chris Scolese and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines joined Chief of Space Operations for the Space Force, Gen. Jay Raymond, for the NROL-82 launch. In a quick interview, Dr. Scolese and DNI Haines gave their thoughts on the success of the NRO and the path to the successful launch.
Featured in this Podcast: National Reconnaissance Office Director Dr. Chris Scolese, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, Office of Public Affairs Director Maura Beard
During Women's History Month, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Office of Public Affairs sat down with the Director of NRO's Advanced Systems & Technology (AS&T) Directorate, Dr. Susan Durham. Dr. Durham gave her views on rising through the ranks, her advice for the generation of women following in her footsteps, the mantras that get her through tough days, and more.
Featured in this podcast: Director AS&T Dr. Susan Durham, NRO Public Affairs Officer April Smith