Peter Muend is the Director of the National Reconnaissance Office’s Commercial Systems Program Office. He directs the agency’s integration of multiple commercial imagery sources. Peter Muend is one of the speakers for the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Space Summit on March 5, 2024.
Get to know more about his background and professional contributions here.
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Who is Peter Muend?
Peter Muend oversees the integration of various commercial imagery sources of the Commercial Systems Program Office (CSPO) at the National Reconnaissance Office. Previously, he directed the Commercial GEOINT Activity (CGA), leveraging commercial GEOINT capabilities in collaboration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).
Muend actively enhances threat awareness and information sharing among satellite operators. He coordinates efforts with the NRO, U.S. Space Command, and NGA to promote threat information sharing and improve decision-making for imagery providers supporting the U.S. government and non-governmental customers.
In addition, Peter Muend drives initiatives to acquire new electro-optical imagery from the private sector to keep pace with evolving technology. Under his leadership, the NRO issued a draft request for proposal (RFP) for electro-optical imagery acquisition efforts, engaging with commercial satellite firms to enhance remote sensing capabilities and stay ahead of national security threats.
Catch Peter Muend at the 2024 Space Summit by the Potomac Officers Club
WHEN
Tuesday, March 05, 2024
7:00 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Eastern Time Zone
WHERE
Hilton-McLean
7920 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, VA 22102
The 5th Annual Space Summit, hosted by the Potomac Officers Club, focuses on various aspects of the space domain. The summit will feature key leaders from U.S. government space agencies. Attendees can expect exclusive insights into the agencies’ priorities, emerging space sector trends, and necessary technologies to navigate challenges effectively.
Why Attend?
The 5th Annual Space Summit is a vital forum for industry professionals, government officials, and stakeholders to gain valuable knowledge about defense systems and space exploration. Additionally, it offers networking opportunities and fosters collaboration among key players in the space domain.
Peter Muend will participate as a panelist in an “Optical Space Data Relay Supporting Human Spaceflight Communications” discussion. He will be joined by other speakers namely MAJ Austin Baker, Greg Heckler, and Peter Schemmel, along with Robert Conrad as the moderator.
Register for the 2024 Summit here.
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How the National Reconnaissance Office is Shaping Space Innovation
The National Reconnaissance Office is one of the agencies responsible for national security by developing and operating space-based reconnaissance systems. These systems collect crucial intelligence for understanding global threats.
In addition, the NRO collaborates with other intelligence agencies, the Department of Defense, and international partners to ensure the nation’s safety and security. It fosters space innovation by awarding contracts to space government contractors.
Commercial Electro-Optical Imagery
In December 2023, the National Reconnaissance Office awarded five Strategic Commercial Enhancements (SCE) contracts to enhance its commercial electro-optical imagery capabilities. This move is a shift toward a more integrated approach to the commercial space sector.
The contracts were awarded to Airbus U.S. Space and Defense, Albedo Space, Hydrosat, Muon Space, and Turion Space to integrate emerging commercial electro-optical (EO) capabilities into its operations. They will enhance satellite imagery, which is important for national security and global surveillance.
Read more: Airbus Secures NASA Contract for GRACE-C Twin Spacecraft Development Contract
Satellite Imagery
In May 2022, the NRO awarded Electro-Optical Commercial Layer (EOCL) contracts to BlackSky, Maxar Technologies, and Planet. The contracts integrate commercial satellite imagery into the NRO’s ISR operations to meet the demands of its users and enhance architecture resilience.
Contracts include a five-year base period with multiple one-year options, extending potentially through 2032. These contracts, worth billions over the next decade, are the NRO’s largest-ever commercial imagery effort.
Hyperspectral Imagery Study
In March 2023, the NRO awarded study contracts to BlackSky Technology, HyperSat, Orbital Sidekick, Pixxel, Planet, and Xplore to explore commercial hyperspectral imagery (HSI) capabilities. These contracts are part of the SCE BAA Framework, aiming to integrate commercial HSI into the NRO’s ISR operations.
Hyperspectral imagery can detect unique spectral signatures, useful in national security, agriculture, mining, and geology.