Even for those with only passing knowledge of the SmallSat Alliance know that the organization is a strong advocate of US space agencies adopting a Hybrid Space Architecture that combines government and commercial satellites, big and small. On August 3, Dr. Chris Scolese, Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), announced the following in a pre-recorded video for the 2020 Small Satellite Conference:
“To meet future demands, the NRO is taking an integrated Hybrid Architecture approach. This approach to or constellation leverages the unique capabilities of our large satellites with smaller proliferated satellites that provide mission augmentation, regional emphasis, and reconstitution; AND commercial satellites that allow us to meet mission needs with unclassified, shareable imagery that allows us to reserve our national assets for the most sensitive missions. This combination of national and commercial, large and small satellites gives us increased flexibility, responsiveness, and resiliency.”
The SmallSat Alliance couldn’t be more excited and applaud the leadership of Dr. Scolese and the rest of the NRO team in moving out quickly to adopt this new approach and thereby ensuring the future vitality of the national security mission and the US space economy.
The Small Satellite Conference is hosting Dr. Scolese for a 1 hour, live, online keynote session on August 3 at 3:00 p.m., ET. Steve Nixon, the President of the SmallSat Alliance, will be moderating the first panel (“Space Mission Architectures“) immediately following the keynote at 4:00 p.m., ET.
You can register by following the links from the Space Dynamics Lab Events website.