- GHOST-R will use commercially developed spacecraft and electro-optical payloads for GEO reconnaissance
- The prototypes are scheduled to launch directly into geostationary Earth orbit by 2028
- Northrop Grumman will use its ESPASat-L spacecraft for its GHOST-R prototype
The Defense Innovation Unit and Space Systems Command have awarded contracts to Northrop Grumman and True Anomaly to develop reconnaissance prototypes under the GHOST-R program, with launch directly to geostationary Earth orbit scheduled by 2028, SSC said Friday.
What Is the GHOST‑R Program?
GHOST-R is designed to provide high-resolution space-to-space imagery for characterizing resident space objects in geostationary orbit. The effort uses commercially developed space vehicles, buses and electro-optical payloads to support reconnaissance missions.
The program is being developed in support of SSC’s RG-XX office, which is pursuing lower-cost, reconnaissance-focused satellites for its constellation.
The effort follows a May solicitation in which DIU sought commercially developed systems capable of producing high-resolution imagery of objects in GEO, with an initial prototype target of 24 months.
How Will GHOST-R Transition to Operational Missions?
The prototypes are expected to transition to government-owned and operated missions for the U.S. Space Force by 2029. Successful prototypes will have a path toward transition into the program of record, according to SSC. DIU’s original solicitation called for the system to transition from commercial ownership and operation to government ownership and operation within 36 months.
The DIU-SSC partnership uses a customer-and-accelerator model that relies on rapid prototyping to develop capabilities for the RG-XX program. The approach is intended to streamline standard defense acquisition processes and shorten the time needed to field prototype capabilities.
The companies developing the prototypes will use proven commercial buses and integrate electro-optical payloads into the reconnaissance vehicles. Northrop Grumman will use its ESPASat-L spacecraft platform for its GHOST-R prototype and incorporate optical payloads from TRL-11.
Col. Bryon McClain, acting portfolio acquisition executive for Space Combat Power, said the approach is intended to address technical risk and lifecycle costs while providing reconnaissance capabilities to the warfighter.
