The Department of War Innovation Unit selected the company for its Geosynchronous High-Resolution Optical Space-Based Tactical Reconnaissance mission. The project extends Northrop Grumman’s role in lower-cost, distributed military satellite systems.
The spacecraft will use Northrop Grumman’s ESPASat-L platform and carry optical payloads from TRL-11 of Irvine, California. It will be assembled, tested and delivered as an operational prototype rather than a technology demonstrator.
“Space is becoming more congested and contested every day, and our joint forces depend on clear, timely insight into what’s happening on orbit,” said Ryan Tintner, vice president and general manager for space superiority at Northrop Grumman. “By rapidly fielding this prototype, we’re pushing innovation to new heights to strengthen the nation’s ability to detect, understand and anticipate activity in geosynchronous orbit so we can better protect critical space assets and keep the joint force operating with confidence.”
GHOST-R will help the Space Force identify and characterize objects in geosynchronous orbit. Its missions will also include battle damage assessment and positive identification.
The contract falls under the Innovation Unit’s “Kill Web” portfolio, which covers artificial intelligence-integrated space architectures. Those systems are designed to improve how U.S. forces sense and target potential adversaries.
The Space Force plans to combine lower-cost commercial satellites with existing military space-domain-awareness systems. This hybrid architecture is intended to give U.S. Space Command more timely information for operations in orbit.
ESPASat-L is a modular spacecraft about the size of a small suitcase. It integrates with Northrop Grumman’s ESPAStar rideshare platform, providing a lower-cost route to orbit.
Assembly, integration and testing will take place at Northrop Grumman facilities in Dulles, Virginia, and Gilbert, Arizona. Using an established satellite platform is expected to shorten the deployment schedule for the prototype and any future constellation.
