Shown here is the first Space-Based Infrared System geosynchronous orbit spacecraft bus during preparations for engineering thermal vacuum testing inside Lockheed Martin's Dual Entry Large Thermal Altitude chamber in Sunnyvale, Calif.
New missile warning satellite passes integration tests
One of the nation's mainstay missile warning systems, the Space Based Infrared System is continuing to add capability.
The geosynchronous orbit satellite has passed its Baseline Integrated System Test and is ready for environmental testing.
The test in March and April characterized the overall performance of the GEO-1, and established the performance baseline. The team will now integrate the satellite's solar arrays, deployable light shade, and thermal blankets and then prepare it for acoustic and pyroshock testing. The complete space vehicle will be subjected to the maximum sound and vibration levels expected during launch into orbit.
SBIRS is already providing the nation with enhanced worldwide missile detection and tracking capabilities, battlefield data, and technical intelligence through its ground segment. The first phase of the program, declared operational in 2001, consolidated ground functions of four remote sites into one centralized ground station. In addition to processing missile-warning data from Defense Support Program satellites currently on orbit and managing the DSP constellation, the SBIRS ground station is credited with delivering significant operations and maintenance savings.
The SBIRS team is led by the SBIRS Wing at the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Sunnyvale, Calif., is the prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., as the payload integrator. Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.
"I am proud of our entire team for completing this significant milestone ahead of the planned schedule," said Col. Roger Teague, the U.S. Air Force's SBIRS Wing Commander. "We continue to build confidence as we march towards the inaugural launch of this vitally important spacecraft."
"This comprehensive test confirms our readiness to enter the critical environmental test stage," said Jeff Smith, Lockheed Martin's SBIRS vice president and program manager. "Our team continues to make significant progress on this sophisticated satellite and we look forward to achieving mission success for our customer."
The first HEO payload completed initial on-orbit deployment and checkout in Nov. 2006. It demonstrated that its performance meets or exceeds specifications. This national defense payload introduces new and vital capabilities for the warfighter. The HEO payload detects ballistic missile launches from northern Polar Regions as it operates in a highly inclined elliptical orbit. The first of the new generation of SBIRS sensors, this payload has improved sensitivity to detect dim theater missiles and can be tasked to scan off pole areas of military interest.
Lockheed Martin's current contract includes two highly elliptical orbit payloads and two GEO satellites, as well as ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data. The Lockheed Martin team has delivered both HEO payloads and the first GEO satellite launch is scheduled for late 2009. The program is in the early stages of adding additional GEO spacecraft and HEO payloads to the planned constellation.
