got geoint?

Yesterday, CongressDaily came out with an insightful story about how the Obama administration is moving forward with plans to buy more satellite imagery from private companies while Congress grapples with developing a long-term strategy to ensure that U.S. military and intelligence agencies have access to the images they need. The article highlights how the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) issued a classified request two weeks ago asking firms that operate remote-sensing or imaging satellites for information on how they could meet U.S. government needs. And, as many of our readers know, the agency plans to award major contracts to commercial imagery providers next spring under its EnhancedView program, which is designed to augment the capabilities of powerful U.S. spy satellites.

But commercial providers, both who are USGIF members, are closely following proposals in Congress that might have an impact on the millions of dollars in revenue they get each month from selling images to the government.
In a move that could spark a clash with the industry, Congress is backing a plan under which the government would build new satellites that might ultimately compete with those of commercial providers, such as GeoEye of , and DigitalGlobe.

Read the full article here.

Tags: Commercial Satellite Imagery, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, GEOINT, geospatial intelligence, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, NGA, USGIF