NRO 2005 Pioneers

Slightly interesting stuff. Mr. Eisenhauer seems to be the poppy of
POPPY, NOSS-1, NOSS-2 and NOSS-3. (He's apparently still a division
superintendent at NRL.) Mr. Proffitt seems to have been responsible for
the KH-11 data link that tracks SDSes -- possibly the mechanism was
carried over to the similar HST data relay antenna.

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www.nro.gov
NRO Selects Pioneer Class of 2005
9 September 2005 |

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has selected its Pioneer Class
of 2005 - four people who made significant and lasting contributions
to the discipline of national reconnaissance. The four selectees are
Robert E. Eisenhauer, Roger C. Marsh, Edward A. Miller, and Wayne L.
Proffitt. The new pioneers will be honored in a ceremony at 2:00 p.m.
on Sept. 15 in the Jimmie D. Hill Auditorium at NRO headquarters in
Chantilly, Va. Director of National Intelligence, Ambassador John D.
Negroponte, is this year's featured speaker. NRO Director (DNRO)
Donald M. Kerr will induct this year's honorees into Pioneer Hall at
the ceremony where plaques will be permanently displayed in their
honor.

Mr. Robert E. Eisenhauer pioneered the techniques that led to precise
time-of-arrival signal recovery, and digitization and encryption of
data for 1960s- through 1980s-era NRO Program C satellite systems. He
further developed these systems to achieve high-speed, real-time,
on-board integration, synchronization, and processing of SIGINT data
from multiple satellites. These techniques completely changed wide-area
SIGINT reconnaissance technology and dramatically improved the accuracy
and dissemination timeliness of satellite intelligence products through
the present day. His career in national reconnaissance spans from 1962
to present.

Mr. Roger C. Marsh utilized open-source means to pioneer a methodology
by which it was possible to consolidate, operate, and manage an
organization shrouded in secrecy. He successfully applied his
considerable analytical, management, and organizational skills to the
challenge of constructing a secure facility and collocating a
widely-dispersed operation into the present NRO headquarters in
Chantilly, Virginia in 1995. His career in national reconnaissance
spanned from 1992 through 2001.

Dr. Edward A. Miller pioneered the design, construction, deployment,
and operation of the first man-made object to be recovered from earth
orbit. Dr. Miller and his team developed the recovery vehicle for
Corona, the highly-successful 1960s space-based photographic
reconnaissance system. His achievements in developing the Satellite
Recovery Vehicle enabled the Corona program to provide critical
intelligence during the Cold War. His career in national reconnaissance
spanned from 1959 through 1968.

Mr. Wayne L. Proffitt pioneered the design of the mechanism that
enabled satellites to point their communications dishes at relay
satellites and maintain continuous contact while still imaging. During
his long tenure (1990-1998) as Program Director at Lockheed Martin, Mr.
Proffitt overcame many complex engineering obstacles. His contributions
included the delivery of capabilities that extended satellite
operational lifetimes, enabling the NRO to satisfy mission
requirements. His career in national reconnaissance spanned from 1971
through 2002.

The pioneers were selected by DNRO Donald Kerr based on recommendations
from a special selection board, and will join 61 pioneers selected over
the past five years. Being designated a Pioneer of National
Reconnaissance is the highest honor in this field.

News media wishing to attend the event must contact the NRO Office of
Corporate Communications at (703) 808-1746 or (703) 808-2528 and must
be at the NRO Visitor's Center by 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 15.