NASA Reclaims Spy Mirror for Space Telescope

NASA acquired a decommissioned spy satellite mirror from the National Reconnaissance Office in 2011 to build the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Originally built for espionage in the 1990s, the 7.9-foot mirror was repurposed for astronomy after the spy program failed. The resulting telescope launched ahead of schedule and under budget, with a lifespan of 22 years.