NRO Chief Crafting Road Map To Spur Spending

April 15, 2010 at 9:00 am | Posted in Space Law | Leave a comment

by P.J. Blount with the blog faculty

From Aviation Week:

NRO Chief Crafting Road Map To Spur Spending

Apr 15, 2010

By Amy Butler

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Director Bruce Carlson says he plans to submit a research and technology investment road map with his Fiscal 2012 budget plan, and he hopes this will kick off increased spending in this area.

Carlson says that 50%-60% of the technology now on satellites that are soon to launch came from those research coffers. But, science and technology funding has “slackened” in recent years, jeopardizing the ability of the NRO to deliver innovative satellites and sensors in the future. The NRO is responsible for developing and operating the nation’s classified satellites.

Carlson says that there are “several” forthcoming launches of “very large, very critical” satellites in the next 18 months. He says that the NRO is embarking on its “most aggressive” launch schedule in the past 25 years. . . . [Full Story]