US military satellites to spy on adversary spacecraft at 6-mile range

The U.S. Department of Defense, through the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), has issued a solicitation for low-cost commercial surveillance satellites under the Geosynchronous High-Resolution Optical Space-Based Tactical Reconnaissance (Ghost Recon) project. This initiative aims to close a critical gap in the Pentagon’s ability to monitor space by acquiring satellites capable of high-resolution space-to-space imagery and close-range inspections of other satellites, particularly in geosynchronous orbit (GEO). The satellites are expected to be launched within two years of contract signing, become government-owned within three years, and perform frequent reconnaissance missions—at least one per week—within four years. The Ghost Recon satellites must be capable of maneuvering within 10 kilometers of target satellites, including uncooperative ones that may attempt to evade surveillance, and adjust their position to optimize solar lighting for imaging. These capabilities will enhance the U.S. military’s ability to characterize resident space objects (RSOs), conduct battle damage assessments, and achieve positive and