On July 1, 2008, the Pentagon announced a new satellite surveillance program called BASIC: Broad Area Surveillance Intelligence Capability. The ten-year plan is meant to boost the military's surveillance capabilities, with more data and more accurate technology.
The Plan
The National Reconnaissance Office will launch two or three new satellites by 2018, including at least one commercially made model, and one advanced model—dubbed the Block II—that the NRO will develop itself.MSNBC: Pentagon is in the market for spy satellites (July 1, 2008) In addition, a new contract with private satellite companies will provide more and better space imagery to the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency.MSNBC: Pentagon is in the market for spy satellites (July 1, 2008)
BASIC Satellite System Blogs and Commentaries
- Google Blog Search: BASIC Satellite System
References
Fast Facts
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Cost
$2 billion to $4 billion
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New surveillance to detect enemy troops, natural disasters, nuclear activity
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Military will have full control of space imagery—known as "assured tasking"MSNBC: Pentagon is in the market for spy satellites (July 1, 2008)
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