DoD Wants Space-Based Commercial Imagery Solutions For Domain Awareness In GEO
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has issued a new solicitation seeking commercial space-to-space imagery solutions for geosynchronous orbit (GEO), highlighting a growing awareness gap the Pentagon is working urgently to close. The solicitation, released in late February 2026, asks industry to provide high-resolution electro-optical imaging capabilities that can identify and characterize resident space objects — including adversarial satellites — orbiting more than 22,000 miles above Earth.
GEO has long been a strategic blind spot. Unlike lower Earth orbits where ground-based radars and optical telescopes can track objects with relative precision, the vast distances involved in geosynchronous orbit make persistent, high-fidelity observation extremely challenging. The DIU wants to change that by leveraging the commercial sector — which has proven adept at developing affordable, rapidly deployable satellite systems.
Under the solicitation, the Pentagon wants a minimum viable product within two years of contract award that can deliver actionable space domain awareness imagery. Within four years, the contract calls for demonstration of at least one "drive-by" capability — meaning a satellite that can maneuver close to another object to conduct a detailed inspection. This is particularly relevant for battle damage assessment and for monitoring the activities of potential adversaries in this contested orbital regime.
The move reflects a broader DoD trend of embracing commercial capabilities to fill gaps that traditional government programs have been too slow or too expensive to address. Companies like Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab, True Anomaly, and several others have been exploring GEO-monitoring technologies. Whoever wins this DIU contract could find themselves at the center of a rapidly growing national security market.
The stakes are high. Satellites in GEO host some of the most critical U.S. military and intelligence infrastructure, including communications and early warning systems. Adversary nations are developing co-orbital weapons capable of disabling or destroying these assets. Without persistent monitoring, the U.S. cannot effectively defend its space-based capabilities or attribute attacks with confidence.
This solicitation underscores the DoD's recognition that commercial innovation is now a cornerstone of national security strategy, not merely a supplement to traditional defense acquisition. As space competition intensifies, closing the GEO domain awareness gap has become a matter of urgent strategic priority.
