The geospatial intelligence community, including the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation, are set to host several events in the coming weeks to highlight emerging technologies and new policy.
On Nov. 16 and 17, USGIF will host a two-day workshop focused on small satellites held at NGA headquarters in Springfield, Virginia. The first day is set to address unclassified topics, including NGA’s recent commercial GEOINT strategy, and the second day requiring top-secret clearances to discuss “current classified studies in resiliency, provide opportunities to hear from agencies currently working on small satellite programs, and allow attendees to engage in classified conversations throughout the day.”
Small satellites are a growing area of focus at NGA; Robert Cardillo, NGA director, has referred to the expanding number of commercial small satellites as a “darkening of the skies” and critical element of technology-dominated intelligence and data-gathering. Other officials also have emphasized this evolving piece of the intelligence community.
“The world has changed drastically – the government doesn’t own space anymore – it’s not a monopoly. One of the most challenging things affecting our analysts in the near future is the small-sat revolution…we’re energized and enthused about it,” NGA Deputy Director Sue Gordon said in August at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium Huntsville, Alabama. “In the next five years, more than a dozen constellations, with hundreds of small satellites, will launch, and continuously scan the earth. The small-sat revolution will totally change the way we sense the planet. It’s much more than just images – it means our analysis of world events is going to be holistic and persistent.”
The small satellite workshop kicks off USGIF’s GEOINT Community Week, during which the organization will host several events that also include a legal workshop, a geographic information systems (GIS) Day at George Mason University, a classified technology showcase at NGA and a joint symposium with the American Geographical Society in New York.
