Key Points on New U.S. Space Force Contracts for Reconnaissance Satellites
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Announcement: On September 18, 2023, the Space Force and the Pentagon awarded contracts to Northrop Grumman and True Anomaly to develop high-resolution reconnaissance satellites under the GHOST-R program.
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Objective: The GHOST-R program aims to deliver “space-to-space imagery” for monitoring objects over 22,000 miles above Earth, improving the ability to find, fix, track, and target threats in space.
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Partnership:
- Northrop Grumman will provide a suitcase-sized prototype using its ESPASat-L spacecraft and a commercial optical sensor, set for a 24-month development timeline.
- True Anomaly will contribute its Jackal autonomous orbital vehicle and a dynamic Mosaic command-and-control system.
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Context: This initiative will enhance U.S. defense capacity in space, addressing the increasing congestion and contested nature of the space environment. The prototypes are expected to launch to geosynchronous orbit by 2028.
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Funding Details: The financial details of the contracts have not been disclosed, but funding did not originate from the Space Force’s $6.2 billion RG-XX contract pool.
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Importance: General Stephen Whiting emphasized the need for improved targeting capabilities in space, noting that the current systems are maturing but still require significant advancements.
This initiative marks a significant step in enhancing the United States’ surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in space, leveraging commercial technology and partnerships with private companies.
