The National Reconnaissance Office has extended contracts with four commercial Earth observation providers while preparing to overhaul its acquisition strategy. HawkEye 360 received a 23-month extension for radio frequency capabilities, while Capella Space, ICEYE US, and Umbra secured 15.
Firefly Aerospace, Inc., has announced the execution of a Launch Services Agreement with SATLANTIS, a provider of high-performance payload technologies for Earth observation and remote sensing. Beginning in 2022, SATLANTIS will utilize the Firefly Alpha launch vehicle to deploy a constellation of satellites with breakthrough high-resolution multispectral cameras.
The European Union plans to create a 'Space Shield' program as part of its readiness roadmap. ESA will fund development of space-based ISR technologies in support of this effort.
DARPA has backed startup Diffraqtion to develop a 'first-of-its-kind' quantum camera capable of providing near-real time imagery at up to 20 times current optical surveillance cameras. The two-year, $1.