Set up by the U.S. Defense Department in 1992. The NRO Director is typically appointed by the Secretary of Defense and is responsible for consolidating into one program all Department of Defense air vehicle and satellite overflight projects for intelligence. This mission is defined as the National Reconnaissance Program.

The NRO works with the Defense Space Operations Committee (DSOC) on budgets, policy, programs, and requirements. The NRO also performs operations approved by the Defense Space Operations Committee and establishes interfaces between the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National Reconnaissance Office, the National Security Agency, and the U.S. Intelligence Board. Moreover, when needed, the NRO utilizes qualified personnel from the Department of Defense as full-time personnel in the NRO.

See Also: Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); Intelligence; National Security Agency (NSA).