Since 1961 it has built and flown the reconnaissance satellites that other agencies task, in partnership with the Air Force, CIA, and Navy. Its launches are publicly announced; the payloads' missions are classified.
Open the interactive page for NRO →Created byadministratively on Sept 6, 1961, by joint DOD–CIA agreement; existence declassified Sept 18, 1992; Director's office first codified by P.L. 113-126 § 411 (2014)
Head appointed50 U.S.C. § 3041a(a) (added by P.L. 113-126 § 411, 2014): Director appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, on the Secretary of Defense's recommendation with DNI concurrence (10 U.S.C. § 201); no fixed term (PAS)
Removal standardno statutory protection — at will
Funded underclassified annex to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act (NIP and MIP satellite-reconnaissance programs); specific authorization required, 50 U.S.C. § 3094
Congressional oversightHouse Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (jurisdiction shared with House Armed Services) · Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (jurisdiction shared with Senate Armed Services)
Inspector generalown PAS IG under the IG Act since P.L. 113-126 § 412 (2014); previously a designated-federal-entity IG under IG Act § 8G per P.L. 111-259 § 431 (2010); DOD OIG and IC IG have overlapping jurisdiction
Judicial reviewAPA suits rare; 10 U.S.C. § 424 exempts organization, functions, and personnel information from disclosure (FOIA Exemption 3); operational files exempt from FOIA search and review, 50 U.S.C. § 3143; surveillance challenges face Clapper-style standing limits
Indirect: oversight runs through the elected members of the congressional intelligence committees, who review its budget on the public's behalf.