Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope mirror came from classified spy satellite program

The short version

• Jalopnik reports that NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope uses a mirror originally built for a classified National Reconnaissance Office spy satellite program.[Jalopnik]
• Two satellites from that program never launched and were stored in a warehouse in Rochester, New York.[Jalopnik]
• In 2011 the NRO told NASA it could inspect the stored satellites and a third mirror.[Jalopnik]
• Scientific American and the New York Times disagree on whether NASA took one or two mirrors, so the exact number remains disputed.[Jalopnik]

Key facts

• The mirror was built for a classified National Reconnaissance Office spy satellite program started in the 1990s.[Jalopnik]
• Two satellites from the program never launched and were stored in a warehouse in Rochester, New York.[Jalopnik]
• In 2011 the NRO contacted NASA to allow inspection of the stored satellites and a third mirror.[Jalopnik]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Began Life As A Spy Satellite That Never LaunchedJalopnik