Umbra, a vertically integrated space technology company, announced the signing of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). Under this CRADA, Umbra gains access to NGA’s research insights to better align its capabilities with mission requirements, while NGA can leverage Umbra’s advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and RF data products and satellite technology to expand its research and operational capabilities.
This partnership supports NGA’s broader Commercial GEOINT strategy, which aims to deepen collaboration with private sector GEOINT innovators. Through this CRADA, Umbra will aid NGA in enhancing operational resiliency, readiness, and the development of new data collection modes. Established in 2015, Umbra has become a trusted U.S. government partner, consistently delivering the highest volume of high-quality data at low latency. This CRADA builds upon Umbra’s enduring collaboration with national security agencies.
The collaboration will focus on exploring novel applications of SAR and RF technologies, including rapid prototyping, iterative improvements to baseline products, and testing unique collection modes to adapt to dynamic mission needs. Umbra’s rapid pace of system development and data processing will allow NGA to explore new approaches in near real-time, adapting to changing requirements with speed and precision.
Last year, Umbra released the first commercial bistatic SAR imagery from its tandem satellite formation. Operating satellites in tightly coordinated clusters enables unique capabilities like multistatic collection and resilience, underscoring Umbra’s dedication to advancing U.S. GEOINT capabilities. Under this CRADA, Umbra innovations can now provide NGA with a testing ground for cutting-edge commercial technologies, enhancing the agency’s ability to leverage commercial assets for future mission success.
“We’re honored to collaborate with NGA to explore new frontiers in remote sensing,” said David Langan, CEO and co-founder of Umbra. “The CRADA allows us to combine our expertise with NGA’s mission insight, accelerating the development of resilient, operationally ready GEOINT solutions for the U.S. government. We look forward to demonstrating the impact of commercial SAR and RF in advancing national security.”
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