what is nro

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is an agency of the United States Department of Defense and a member of the United States Intelligence Community. It was established in September 1961 as a classified agency in the Department of Defense. The NRO develops, acquires, launches, and operates space-based assets and ground systems to see, hear, and sense threats around the world in real-time. Its systems address the nations toughest intelligence challenges, providing information and perspectives unavailable from other sources. The NRO is advancing the nations capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance with a diverse community of industry and academic partners committed to innovative mission solutions. Its mission is to use its capabilities to secure and expand U.S. intelligence, to see, hear, and sense all around us, all in alignment with its values of operating with personal integrity and accountability, mission excellence, and teamwork.