The U.S. Space Force has commissioned Northrop Grumman and True Anomaly to develop prototypes of new reconnaissance satellites designed to capture images of objects in geosynchronous orbit from space.
Space Systems Command awarded contracts to the two companies under the Geosynchronous High-Resolution Optical Space-Based Tactical Reconnaissance (GHOST-R) program. The contracts were announced on September 18, 2026.
GHOST-R calls for the use of commercially developed spacecraft, buses and electro-optical payloads to capture high-resolution images of objects in geosynchronous orbit. This is known as “space-to-space” imagery.
Northrop Grumman will develop a prototype based on its ESPASat-L spacecraft. According to the company, the satellite will be about the size of a small suitcase and will use a commercial optical sensor. It is scheduled to be produced on an accelerated 24-month timeline.
True Anomaly will provide its Jackal autonomous orbital vehicle and Mosaic command-and-control system. Jackal is designed for maneuvering in space, observing and imaging other space objects. Mosaic will be used for mission planning, analysis and operator preparation.
GHOST-R is part of the RG-XX program, which calls for the development of a new constellation of maneuverable reconnaissance satellites in geosynchronous orbit. The new prototypes are scheduled to launch directly into geosynchronous orbit by 2028 and begin government-owned and operated missions in 2029.
The value of the contracts and their funding sources have not been disclosed.
