A new understanding between the Space Force and NGA - GEOINT 2025

Plus: satellites enhance wildfire response and maritime security, new NGA contracts, and more.

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READ THIS EMAIL IN YOUR BROWSER SpaceNews journalists are reporting from the 2025 GEOINT Symposium in St. Louis, Mo., this week. We'll bring highlights to your inbox — for full coverage, go to SpaceNews.com. SPONSORED BY Space Force and NGA move to end turf disputes with new intelligence agreement By Sandra Erwin and Debra Werner The U.S. Space Force and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) signed a memorandum of agreement May 21 aimed at clarifying their roles in delivering space-based intelligence to military commanders. "It really is a marker that shows how deep the collaboration goes between our organizations," Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations of the U.S. Space Force, said at the GEOINT Symposium. He and NGA Director Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth signed the agreement in a joint appearance there. Saltzman and Whitworth said the agreement describes the agencies' roles and responsibilities in acquiring and providing commercial imagery, remote sensing data and associated products, enhancing support to the combatant commands while minimizing redundancy and duplication of effort. Read more Illustration of MDA Space's Chorus maritime surveillance spacecraft. Credit: MDA Space More coverage Satellites take frontline role in maritime security By Sandra Erwin Demand for space-based maritime surveillance is accelerating, driven by rising geopolitical tensions, economic chokepoints and illegal maritime activity, according to a new report from the market research firm Quilty Space.  Satellite startups race to enhance wildfire detection and response By Sandra Erwin Muon Space, which launched its FireSat protoflight mission in March, is developing a dedicated constellation of satellites to track wildfires globally in near real-time. The company is working with the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance to build out the "FireSat" network in low Earth orbit (LEO). These satellites are equipped with multispectral electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors. AI could deliver insights when paired with (the right) humans By Debra Werner Artificial intelligence combined with human insight promises to transform geospatial intelligence, experts said at the GEOINT Symposium. But it will require standards, data verification and monitoring to ensure accurate results, they said. Ursa, University of Illinois and Palantir win Luno A contracts By Debra Werner The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency announced Luno A awards May 21 to Palantir Technologies, the University of Illinois and Ursa Space Systems at the GEOINT Symposium. Through a $13.8 million task order, Ursa will provide unclassified commercial geospatial intelligence analytics of petroleum-based production and storage facilities, said NGA Director Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth. BONUS Space Minds podcast episode: Connecting GEOINT innovation to the front lines By Mike Gruss Devin Brande, director of commercial operations at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, explains the importance of enthusiasm and what he's looking for when working with new companies. SPONSORED Kepler Communications Inc. is a satellite telecommunications provider on a mission to deliver Internet connectivity to space. Kepler provides real-time, continuous service for space communications and was the first commercial company to announce the successful demonstration of SDA-compatible optical inter-satellite links (OISLs) on orbit. The Kepler Network will initially service low Earth orbit (LEO) and plans to provide connectivity services to space missions in LEO, MEO, GEO, and beyond. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Kepler is building a global company to enable communications for the future space economy. Learn more Space Minds at the GEOINT Symposium "Let's just fix it. Let's make a decision on who's going to do what, and then let's drive forward, because the posturing and the friction is not good for anyone." — Keith Masback, Principal Consultant of Plum Run, LLC, talking about the duties of the Space Force, the NRO and the NGA in an interview May 20 with Chief Content and Strategy Officer Mike Gruss at the 2025 GEOINT Symposium. Listen to the latest episode on SpaceNews.com, YouTube or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts, and be sure to subscribe for updates all week with special guests at the GEOINT Symposium. Recent SpaceNews stories NASA says long-running budget shortfalls may lead to ISS crew and research reductions MDA Space raises SatixFy offer by 43% to counter competing bid Sign up for SpaceNews newsletters FirstUp: The latest civil, commercial and military space news, curated by veteran journalist Jeff Foust. Delivered Monday to Friday mornings. 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