Northrop Grumman Selected to Build GHOST-R Prototype for Department of War

Northrop Grumman has been selected by the Department of War Innovation Unit (DIU) to develop a commercially derived prototype for the Geosynchronous High-Resolution Optical Space-Based Tactical Reconnaissance (GHOST-R) mission.

The program will provide the U.S. Space Force with a lower-cost spacecraft designed to augment existing space domain awareness capabilities in geosynchronous orbit.

The company will build the prototype around its ESPASat-L platform and integrate optical payloads provided by TRL-11.

Northrop Grumman will handle spacecraft assembly, integration and testing at its satellite manufacturing facilities in Dulles, Virginia, and Gilbert, Arizona, with delivery to the Space Force planned on an accelerated 24-month schedule.

GHOST-R falls under DIU's Kill Web portfolio, which focuses on AI-integrated space architectures designed to improve sensing and targeting capabilities.

The satellites are intended to support characterization of objects in geosynchronous orbit, battle damage assessment and positive identification, while providing commercial augmentation to existing government space surveillance systems.

The program builds on Northrop Grumman's experience with the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP), while expanding its work on commercially derived spacecraft for national security missions.

Northrop Grumman Space Superiority Vice President and General Manager Ryan Tintner said the prototype is intended to provide faster insight into activity in geosynchronous orbit and strengthen the Space Force's ability to monitor and protect critical space assets.

Image Credits: Northrop Grumman