Possible new NRO constellation

[edzieba]

As part of the NRO's FOIA-for-all 2023 release, there is an interesting 2021-era very heavily redacted document titled "F-2022-00109_C05139060 <SANITIZED> PHASE 2 J&A_071221" (attached).

It is a sole-source justification to "complete the preliminary design of the [REDACTED] CS through the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and procure long lead materials" and subsequently an option to "design, manufacture, integrate and test, deliverer, launch, and initialize the [REDACTED] CS". The 'CS' being "Collection Segment (CS) Phase 2 (GEOINT/[REDACTED])" which "consists of a Space Vehicle Element (SVE)". It also references an RFI that "sought a greater understanding of industry's capabilities to perform as a Prime contractor in the design, build, test, and launch of the [REDACTED] satellite constellation".

This seems to imply the NRO is looking to acquire a satellite constellation, for IMINT and other data gathering (e.g. SIGINT and MASINT), separate from the PWSA's Tracking Layer.

[Zed_Noir]

As part of the NRO's FOIA-for-all 2023 release, there is an interesting 2021-era very heavily redacted document titled "F-2022-00109_C05139060 <SANITIZED> PHASE 2 J&A_071221" (attached).

It is a sole-source justification to "complete the preliminary design of the [REDACTED] CS through the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and procure long lead materials" and subsequently an option to "design, manufacture, integrate and test, deliverer, launch, and initialize the [REDACTED] CS". The 'CS' being "Collection Segment (CS) Phase 2 (GEOINT/[REDACTED])" which "consists of a Space Vehicle Element (SVE)". It also references an RFI that "sought a greater understanding of industry's capabilities to perform as a Prime contractor in the design, build, test, and launch of the [REDACTED] satellite constellation".

This seems to imply the NRO is looking to acquire a satellite constellation, for IMINT and other data gathering (e.g. SIGINT and MASINT), separate from the PWSA's Tracking Layer.

Is this for a GEO constellation?

[Targeteer]

The classification markings are key to eliminating possibilities.  SI is related to SIGINT collection and is not used...

https://www.rcfp.org/classification-markings-part-2/

[Blackstar]

As part of the NRO's FOIA-for-all 2023 release, there is an interesting 2021-era very heavily redacted document titled "F-2022-00109_C05139060 <SANITIZED> PHASE 2 J&A_071221" (attached).

It is a sole-source justification to "complete the preliminary design of the [REDACTED] CS through the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and procure long lead materials" and subsequently an option to "design, manufacture, integrate and test, deliverer, launch, and initialize the [REDACTED] CS". The 'CS' being "Collection Segment (CS) Phase 2 (GEOINT/[REDACTED])" which "consists of a Space Vehicle Element (SVE)". It also references an RFI that "sought a greater understanding of industry's capabilities to perform as a Prime contractor in the design, build, test, and launch of the [REDACTED] satellite constellation".

This seems to imply the NRO is looking to acquire a satellite constellation, for IMINT and other data gathering (e.g. SIGINT and MASINT), separate from the PWSA's Tracking Layer.

Is this for a GEO constellation?

"GEOINT" does not equal "GEO."

[Larry Golo]

Because one doesn't need to be in GEO to eavesdrop GEO satellites ?

[darkenfast]

Because one doesn't need to be in GEO to eavesdrop GEO satellites ?

GEOINT (Geospatial Intelligence) involves location information about activities on Earth.