U.S. Intelligence Agency Turns to Private Sector for Space Object Monitoring

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has released a request for information (RFI) to gather input from companies in the burgeoning non-Earth imagery (NEI) market for assistance in monitoring objects in Earth's orbit.

NEI involves imaging spacecraft, satellites, and space debris in orbit. This market is relatively new for commercial satellite operators, thanks to regulatory reforms in 2022 that lifted long-standing restrictions on U.S. companies collecting detailed data on satellites in space.

NGA's objective is to conduct market research and initiate a dialogue with the industry to provide commercial NEI data and analytics, aiming to meet the U.S. government and its allies’ intelligence requirements concerning objects in space. The agency seeks to understand the capabilities and data analytics associated with unclassified non-Earth imaging, including imagery of uncooperative platforms.

Increasing Need for Space Domain Awareness

With the growing congestion in orbit and the risks posed by potential adversaries, enhancing space situational awareness has become a crucial national security issue, according to U.S. officials.

The emergence of space powers such as China and the aggressive development of anti-satellite weapons by Russia have highlighted the necessity for the U.S. to utilize commercial remote sensing companies for data on potentially hostile spacecraft.

The NGA has indicated that leveraging commercial NEI capabilities presents an opportunity to augment existing government systems. As the primary source of geospatial intelligence for the Department of Defense and the U.S. intelligence community, the NGA's initiative is critical for maintaining an edge in space domain awareness.

Call for Industry Participation

The NGA has set a deadline of July 12 for responses to the RFI. Only U.S.-owned companies are eligible to participate in this program. The insights gained from this market research will inform an upcoming five-year procurement of non-Earth imagery.

This initiative represents a significant step in integrating commercial capabilities with national security efforts, ensuring that the U.S. remains vigilant and informed about activities in Earth’s orbit.

By engaging with the commercial NEI market, the NGA aims to bolster its geospatial intelligence resources and improve the overall understanding of space-based threats and developments.