United State Intelligence Community (IC)

Since I will be making an essay on space intelligence, first I must do a full profile image of the intelligence community, so that we in this way may have a full understanding of all the agencies interest in the space intelligence program.

The United States Intelligence Community (IC) is a cooperative federation of 16 separate United States government agencies that work separately and together to conduct intelligence activities considered necessary for the conduct of foreign relations and the protection of the national security of the United States. Member organizations of the IC include intelligence agencies, military intelligence, and civilian intelligence and analysis offices within federal executive departments. The IC is led by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), who reports to the President of the United States.

Among their varied responsibilities, the members of the Community collect and produce foreign and domestic intelligence, contribute to military planning, and perform espionage. The IC was established by Executive Order 12333, signed on 4 December 1981 by President Ronald Reagan

Purpose :

Intelligence is information that agencies collect, analyze and distribute in response to government leaders’ questions and requirements. Intelligence is a broad term that entails:

Collection, analysis, and production of sensitive information to support national security leaders, including policymakers, military commanders and Members of Congress. Safeguarding these processes and this information through counterintelligence activities. Execution of covert operations approved by the President. The IC strives to provide valuable insight on important issues by gathering raw intelligence, analyzing that data in context, and producing timely and relevant products for customers at all levels of national security—from the war-fighter on the ground to the President in Washington.

Executive Order 12333 charged the IC with six primary objectives:

• Collection of information needed by the President, the National Security Council, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and other executive branch officials for the performance of their duties and responsibilities;
• Production and dissemination of intelligence;
• Collection of information concerning, and the conduct of activities to protect against, intelligence activities directed against the U.S., international terrorist and/or narcotics activities, and other hostile activities directed against the U.S. by foreign powers, organizations, persons and their agents;
• Special activities (defined as activities conducted in support of U.S. foreign policy objectives abroad which are planned and executed so that the "role of the United States Government is not apparent or acknowledged publicly," and functions in support of such activities, but which are not intended to influence United States political processes, public opinion, policies, or media and do not include diplomatic activities or the collection and production of intelligence or related support functions);
• Administrative and support activities within the U.S. and abroad necessary for the performance of authorized activities; and
• Such other intelligence activities as the President may direct from time to time.
• U.S. Intelligence Community 
  
  
  
  
  Sixteen agencies of the United States federal government compose the nation's Intelligence Community (USIC). Members are Executive Branch agencies, services, bureaus and other organizations with national intelligence roles. 
  
  
  The Central Intelligence Agency, eight offices in the Department of Defense (DoD), and seven other organizations compose the membership list. DoD receives about 85 percent of the national intelligence budget. 
  
  
  The intelligence community operates under the direction of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). 
  
  
  The Non-DoD members are:
  • Central Intelligence Agency CIA provides foreign intelligence on national security topics.
    
  • National Security Agency NSA collects foreign signals intelligence and protects information systems from compromise.
    
  • FBI Directorate of Intelligence The Federal Bureau of Investigation deals with counterespionage and international criminal cases.
    
  • Department of Homeland Security DHS collects and correlates information pertinent to homeland security.
    
  • National Reconnaissance Office NRO analyzes military and CIA airplane and satellite reconnaissance information.
    
  • State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research INR deals with information affecting US foreign policy.
    
  • Department of Energy DoE analyzes foreign nuclear weapons, nuclear non-proliferation, and energy security intelligence issues.
    
  • Department of the Treasury Collects information that may affect fiscal and monetary policy.
    
  The DoD members are:
  • Defense Intelligence Agency DIA provides military intelligence to policymakers and force planners.
    
  • National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency NGA, formerly the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), provides geospatial intelligence.
    
  • National Air and Space Intelligence Center NASIC, U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, collects intelligence relevant to the needs of the service.
    
  • Air Intelligence Agency AIA, U.S. Air Force, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, collects intelligence relevant to the needs of the service.
    
  • U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command INSCOM collects intelligence relevant to the needs of the service.
    
  • Office of Naval Intelligence ONI collects intelligence relevant to the needs of the service.
    
  • U.S. Marine Corps Intelligence Collects intelligence relevant to the needs of the service.
    
  • U.S. Coast Guard Intelligence USCG, Department of Homeland Security, collects intelligence relevant to the needs of the service, and correlates information on US maritime borders and Homeland Security.
  The entire CIA, DIA, NSA, NRO, and NIMA are members of the intelligence community. From the other organizations, only those parts concerned with intelligence are considered members of the intelligence community. For example, within the U.S. Navy, only the Office of Naval Intelligence is an intelligence community member.