Which federal agency is primarily responsible for geospatial intelligence?

The NATIONAL Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is the correct answer because it is specifically tasked with collecting, analyzing, and disseminating geospatial intelligence. This agency plays a crucial role in national security and supports various military and intelligence operations by providing critical information in the form of maps, imagery, and other forms of geospatial data.

The NGA’s expertise and focus on geospatial analysis differentiate it from other agencies. For example, the FBI primarily deals with law enforcement and domestic security issues and does not specialize in geospatial intelligence. Similarly, while NASA has a significant role in space exploration and satellite technology, its primary mission centers around scientific research and exploration, rather than geospatial intelligence. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) does provide broad intelligence support for defense operations but relies on the NGA for specialized geospatial intelligence. Therefore, the NGA stands out as the predominant authority in this field.