Evolution of the Space Age: Developments and Influence of National Security Space and Western New York’s Role

Throughout the space age from the earliest days to today there have been great advancements made through the civil and national security space programs. The area of greatest joint impact has been on education and the industrial base as new technologies were developed and matured to address the challenges of each era. Today a revolution is taking place in terms of technology, tools, and the development of a vibrant commercial sector.

The National Reconnaissance Office is the U.S. agency responsible for launching and operating our spy satellites. Though established in August 1960, its operations are so highly classified that the very existence of the organization was not declassified until 1992. Dr. Scolese will discuss his experience and perspective having lived through two space ages, and the pivotal role played by Western New York in NRO’s history.

Dr. Christopher J. Scolese was sworn-in as Director, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) on 5 August 2019. He is the 19th Director, and the first to be Presidentially Appointed and Senate Confirmed. Dr. Scolese provides direction, guidance, and supervision on matters pertaining to the NRO and executes other authorities specifically delegated by the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence. Dr. Scolese began his government career as a United States Naval Officer in 1978, supporting a variety of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programs for the U.S. Navy and the Department of Energy.

In 1987, following a brief period of service working in government and industry, Dr. Scolese joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) where he was assigned to the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. During this period, he served in a variety of senior management positions including: Earth Observing System (EOS) Systems Manager, EOS Terra Project Manager, EOS Program Manager, and Deputy Director of Flight Programs and Projects for Earth Science. In 2001, Dr. Scolese was assigned to NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. where he served as the Deputy Associate Administrator in the Office of Space Science. In this position, he was responsible for the management, direction, and oversight of NASA’s Space Science Flight Program, mission studies, technology development, and overall contract management of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

In 2004, he went on to become Deputy Director, Goddard Space Flight Center, where he assisted the Director in overseeing all activities, before returning to Washington, D.C. to become NASA’s Chief Engineer in 2005. As Chief Engineer, he was responsible for ensuring all development and mission operations were planned and conducted on a sound engineering basis. In 2007, he was appointed the Associate Administrator, responsible for the oversight and integration of NASA’s programmatic and technical efforts.