Feb. 1, 2023

The story of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory – part four

Part Four of the story of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory articleThis is the fourth and final story about the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL). Read part three here.The MOL program was stood up so the United States could collect immediate and on-demand intelligence in response to unanticipated events, like the Cuban Missile Crisis. However, while it

Dec. 23, 2022

Edwards appointed and confirmed as next NRO Inspector General

CHANTILLY, Va. – The Honorable Terrence Edwards has been appointed by President Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate as the next Inspector General (IG) of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The NRO Office of Inspector General is an independent oversight office that promotes economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the

Dec. 19, 2022

The story of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory – part three

Part Three of the story of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory articleThis is the third part about the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL). Read part two here.By 1966, after years of planning, the MOL program made major strides to place a man in orbit to collect high-resolution reconnaissance photography. Congress authorized funding to build Space Launch

Dec. 7, 2022

NRO-Vandenberg spends Military Appreciation Day on the gridiron

CHANTILLY, VA — On Oct. 14, NRO Vandenberg (NROV) Commander Lt. Col. Matthew J. Hale headed a team of senior leaders to attend Lompoc High School’s homecoming football game. Lompoc High School is located about 20 minutes south of Vandenberg Space Force Base in northern Santa Barbara County, California. The evening also marked the high school’s Military

Nov. 28, 2022

The story of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory – part two

CHANTILLY, VA — This is continuation of the story of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL). Read part one here.President Lyndon Johnson approved the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) in 1965 so development could proceed. MOL was originally planned to have six launches, each with a mission length of 30 days. This was an ambitious goal: 30 days would be the longest

Nov. 3, 2022

The story of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory – part one

CHANTILLY, Va. — This is the opening segment in a running series telling the story of the Manned Orbiting LaboratoryThe Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) was as ambitious as it was secret, made to push the limits of what was possible in space at the time. MOL was designed to test new abilities and fulfill a top-secret reconnaissance mission of providing rapid

Sept. 28, 2022

NRO Announces Commercial Radio Frequency Study Contract Awards

CHANTILLY, Va. – The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) today announced the award of six study contracts for commercial radio frequency (RF) remote sensing. Companies receiving awards under NRO’s Strategic Commercial Enhancement’s (SCE) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Framework include Aurora Insight, HawkEye 360, Kleos Space, PredaSAR, Spire

Sept. 25, 2022

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

CHANTILLY, Va. – The National Reconnaissance Office—in partnership with the United Launch Alliance and the U.S. Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 30 and Space Systems Command—marked the end of an era with the NROL-91 mission today at 3:25 p.m. Pacific Time / 6:25 p.m. Eastern Time. This was the fifth and final United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy

May 26, 2022

Maj. Sinn - People of the NRO

CHANTILLY, Va. — May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month and NRO would like to highlight the work and effort Maj Yong Sinn puts in everyday being a member of the NRO’s Front Office.Q: What is your current position in the NRO?A: I am the executive officer to the principal deputy director of the NRO. I’ve been in this position for about 10 months

May 25, 2022

NRO announces largest award of commercial imagery contracts

CHANTILLY, Va. – The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) today announced the results of its largest-ever commercial imagery contract effort, awarding Electro-Optical Commercial Layer (EOCL) contracts to BlackSky, Maxar, and Planet. Valued at billions of dollars over the next decade, these contracts mark a historic expansion of the NRO’s