Intelligence Authorization Bill Held Up by Spy Satellite Issue

It is somewhat befuddling how an NRO buy of satellites that are less expensive and less sophisticated can be reasonably called "untested and therefore riskier."

If you want to say it’s riskier because our security needs mandate we have a mix of satellites including some that provide exquisite capabilities which the Senate bill (and the less expensive satellites cannot provide) does not allow for, I can see that, but I don't think that's the assertion being made.

GeoEye? DigitalGlobe? Radarsat (just kidding...a little).