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NRO calls on industry to innovate with focus on scaling to meet mission needs

Aug. 27, 2026 - Amid an increasingly complex threat environment and rising demand for the data it collects from its overhead architecture, the National Reconnaissance Office is challenging the commercial sector to innovate with a focus on agility and speed, as well as technology that can scale to meet mission needs.

NRO Names Summer Internship Program in Honor of Former Director Dr. Chris Scolese

Aug. 24, 2026 - Applications are now being accepted for the Summer 2027 Dr. Chris Scolese Internship Program through October 2.

NRO Ceremony Honors Pioneers of National Reconnaissance

June 16, 2026 - The National Reconnaissance Office on Tuesday bestowed its highest honor on three innovators whose work has made a lasting impact on the field of overhead reconnaissance. Dr. Robert Fiete, Delvin King, and Maj. Gen. Robert “Rosie” Rosenberg (ret.) were inducted into the Pioneer Recognition Program during a ceremony in the J.D. Hill Auditorium at NRO headquarters.

AI revolutionizing NRO’s delivery of space-based capabilities critical to national security

“Every application of AI is oriented toward faster delivery of capability, greater accuracy, and the extension of human capabilities.”.

May 6, 2026 - Artificial intelligence (AI) will continue to revolutionize how the National Reconnaissance Office delivers the space-based capabilities that are critical to national security, NRO Director Chris Scolese said at an industry conference Wednesday.

NRO’s proliferated architecture exceeding expectations, PDDNRO tells Space Symposium

April 14, 2026 - Two years after the National Reconnaissance Office announced an ambitious plan to put a proliferated architecture on orbit, the system is now operational and even surpassing expectations, Bill Adkins, principal deputy director of the NRO, said Tuesday at the annual Space Symposium.

NRO deputy director warns of risks from space debris at tech forum

DDNRO Warns of Risks from Space Debris at Tech Symposium

March 23, 2026 - A dramatic rise in the number of satellites on orbit is increasing the amount of space debris, posing a critical threat to the capabilities of America’s national space systems, Maj. Gen. Chris Povak, deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office, said Monday.

Dr. Scolese speaks at AAS Goddard Space Science Symposium; discusses advancing cutting-edge technologies

March 12, 2026 - The National Reconnaissance Office is working to advance cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence and quantum sensing, to better meet the demands of its customers, NRO Director Chris Scolese said at an aerospace industry forum Thursday.

Maj. Gen. Povak speaks at NSSA DISC; announces latest commercial contracts

Feb. 12, 2026 - The National Reconnaissance Office is always looking for innovative ways to leverage commercial technologies that can expand its capabilities on orbit and enhance its national security mission, Maj. Gen. Christopher Povak, deputy director of the NRO, said Tuesday.

Declassifying JUMPSEAT: an American pioneer in space

Jan. 28, 2026 - The director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) recently declassified the existence of JUMPSEAT: the United States’ first-generation, highly elliptical orbit (HEO) signals-collection satellite.

NRO at “precipice of a major transformation,” DDNRO tells industry forum

Dec. 3, 2025 - The NRO is at the “precipice of a major transformation,” modernizing its entire space and ground infrastructure now and over the next decade...

NRO embraces evolution of commercial partnerships amid “incredible technological revolution”

Nov. 20, 2025 - The NRO is working to develop the best systems that will give the best information possible to policymakers, intelligence analysts, and warfighters.

Director Scolese highlights NRO’s efforts to accelerate innovation

Sept. 19, 2025 - NRO is leveraging innovation to accelerate the delivery of space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance...

NRO's Critical Role in Apollo 11's Safe Return from the Moon (1969)

Aug. 14, 2025 -

On 20 July 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to land on Earth's only natural satellite...

Director Speaks to Leading in Space Through Speed, Innovation, and Partnerships

June 18, 2025 - NRO Director Chris Scolese highlighted speed, innovation, and strong partnerships as keys to the

NRO honors two Pioneers of National Reconnaissance at 25th induction ceremony

June 17, 2025 - The National Reconnaissance Office honored Richard “Rick” Brubaker and Richard “Dick” Dyer as the

NRO director shares personal insights on leadership at NASA workshop

May 5, 2025 - Communicating well, connecting with mentors, and saying yes to new challenges are some of the keys

NRO director calls for leveraging full potential of cutting-edge space capabilities

April 8, 2025 - One year ago, the NRO made several public commitments to ensure that our nation remains ahead of the

DNRO calls on nation to leverage full potential of cutting-edge capabilities on orbit

March 5, 2025 - Dr. Chris Scolese, director of the National Reconnaissance Office, delivered a call to action to

NRO leveraging new tools to fuse, organize, and share more data, faster

Dr. Meink Mitchell Institute Schriever Spacepower Series

Oct. 17, 2024 - Dr. Troy Meink, NRO’s principal deputy director, left, speaks with Charles Galbreath,Senior

NRO driving “generational change” through innovation

Oct. 3, 2024 - The National Reconnaissance Office is driving “generational change” as it develops innovative ways

Innovative outreach to business community key to expanding U.S. intelligence advantage

Sept. 11, 2024 - Expanding the United States’ intelligence advantage depends on innovation – both in technology and

Innovation, partnership, and agility key to deterring threats in space, NRO director says at IC summit

Aug. 29, 2024 - As Russia and China become more competitive and aggressive in space, the National Reconnaissance

NRO Director's Presentation at 2024 Small Satellite Conference

Dr. Scolese recorded a presentation video for the Small Satellite Conference held in Logan, Utah.

Aug. 13, 2024 - Dr. Scolese recorded a presentation video for the Small Satellite Conference. Watch Presentation on

U.S. must continue to innovate to maintain leadership in space, NRO director says

Aviation+Ascend at Caesars Forum on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Photo by David Becker)

July 30, 2024 - As the world grows increasingly dependent on space-based capabilities, it’s critical that the United

NRO & Space Force partner to launch SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission

Sept. 10, 2023 - PRESS RELEASE:NRO & Space Force partner to launch SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission. Press Release

SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 press conference

Aug. 31, 2023 - SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 press conference August 28, 2023 ** Aug. 29 update: Following publication of

Tri-Seal Commercial Space Protection Framework

Aug. 31, 2023 - NGA, NRO, USSPACECOM plan for threats to commercial satellites Joint agreement outlines framework

DNRO provides keynote address at Space Symposium

April 18, 2023 - Today DNRO Dr. Scolese gave a keynote address at the 38th annual Space Symposium. In his speech,

NROL Patch Descriptions for Patch Madness, Sweet 16

March 21, 2023 - NROL Patch Descriptions for Patch Madness, Sweet 16

The story of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory – part four

Feb. 1, 2023 - Part Four of the story of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory articleThis is the fourth and final story

Edwards appointed and confirmed as next NRO Inspector General

Dec. 23, 2022 - CHANTILLY, Va. – The Honorable Terrence Edwards has been appointed by President Biden and confirmed

The story of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory – part three

Dec. 19, 2022 - Part Three of the story of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory articleThis is the third part about the

NRO-Vandenberg spends Military Appreciation Day on the gridiron

Military officers on the football field with football players

Dec. 7, 2022 - On Oct. 14, NRO Vandenberg (NROV) Commander Lt. Col. Matthew J. Hale headed a team of senior leaders

The story of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory – part two

Nov. 28, 2022 - This is continuation of the story of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL). Read part one

The story of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory – part one

Nov. 3, 2022 - This is the opening segment in a running series telling the story of the Manned Orbiting

NRO Announces Commercial Radio Frequency Study Contract Awards

Sept. 28, 2022 - CHANTILLY, Va. – The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) today announced the award of six study

Vandenberg’s final Delta IV Heavy launch with NROL-91 mission

Sept. 25, 2022 - CHANTILLY, Va. – The National Reconnaissance Office—in partnership with the United Launch Alliance

NRO announces largest award of commercial imagery contracts

May 25, 2022 - CHANTILLY, Va. – The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) today announced the results of its

NRO successfully reuses SpaceX launch booster for first time with NROL-85 mission

April 17, 2022 - CHANTILLY, Va. — The National Reconnaissance Office successfully launched the NROL-85 mission aboard

NRO Director Dr. Chris Scolese spoke with the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Strategic Forces hearing on April 6

Dr. Chris Scolese and Subcommittee on Strategic Forces Ranking Member Rep. Doug Lamborn

April 11, 2022 - On Wednesday, April 6, NRO Director Dr. Chris Scolese, gave his Statement for the Record (SFR) at

Have you heard of the “Blue Cube?"

April 7, 2022 - Throughout its almost 50-year existence, few in the nation knew about the “Blue Cube” located in

Celebrating International Women's Day

March 8, 2022 - Today is International Women’s Day where we celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political

Recognizing the first African American astronaut

Feb. 22, 2022 - Talented and brilliant, Robert Henry Lawrence, Jr. was the first African American selected for

SSG guardians provide virtual presentations to students across the east coast

Photo of the news article for the SSG Evey News Story

Feb. 15, 2022 - Space Systems Group’s (SSG) Space Force Lt. Col. Christopher Evey and Capt. Sam O’Hair are inspiring

Episode 11: Sitting Down with NROL-87 Mission Manager Emily Stanhouse

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). All NRO Podcasts are located under the News menu tab at the top of this page.

Jan. 26, 2022 - One of the coolest jobs at the NRO is being Mission Manager of a launch. In an exclusive interview

NRO director: Innovation is the key to America’s advantage in space

Dec. 6, 2021 - The National Reconnaissance Office has spent six decades developing the best space-based

NRO reaches an unprecedented financial management milestone

Dec. 2, 2021 - For the thirteenth year in a row, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) achieved an unmodified

NRO releases collection of previously classified documents, increases transparency

Nov. 16, 2021 - CHANTILLY, Va. – The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) today announced the declassification and

Thank You Veterans

Nov. 16, 2021 - Honoring All Who ServedClick here to watch the YouTube video

NRO releases Electro-Optical Commercial Layer RFP

Nov. 3, 2021 - On Nov. 3, NRO released the EOCL RFP. This moves the agency closer to delivering the next generation

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