“SBIRS: Ground Command’s Lifeline in Missile Detection”
After a successful evening launch, the third U.S. Air Force Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) GEO satellite is now responding to commands as planned, approximately 37 minutes following lift-off.
Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, SBIRS GEO Flight 3 is outfitted with advanced scanning and staring sensors that capture and relay infrared surveillance data to ground stations. This crucial information aids the U.S. military in missile launch detection, strengthens ballistic missile defense systems, enhances technical intelligence gathering, and improves battlefield situational awareness.
The satellite lifted off at 7:42 p.m. EST aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket.
“Following a successful ULA launch, signal acquisition marks the first critical milestone in SBIRS’ mission to provide the Air Force with early missile warning and defense capabilities,” stated David Sheridan, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) systems. “With communication established, our mission is to guide SBIRS to its ultimate orbit, ensuring full operational testing and deployment in anticipation of the Air Force’s formal acceptance.”
“The addition of this third geostationary satellite to the SBIRS constellation reinforces our commitment to delivering top-tier OPIR solutions, offering real-time, 24/7 data to our military and allies,” noted Robert Mehltretter, vice president of Northrop Grumman Military and Civil Space. “We eagerly look forward to our sensors capturing the first light of global events, enabling timely data delivery to the warfighter.”
The satellite is set to transition to its final position in geosynchronous orbit, approximately 22,000 miles above the Earth. In this stage, the satellite’s solar arrays, light shade, and antennas will be deployed to initiate early on-orbit testing.
SBIRS GEO-1 and GEO-2, which were launched in 2011 and 2013 respectively, continue to surpass performance expectations, offering exceptional sensor pointing accuracy and target detection sensitivity. Though SBIRS prioritizes strategic missile warning, its infrared data will also be accessible for various military and civilian applications at the Air Force’s newly established Tools, Applications, and Processing Lab in Boulder, Colorado.
The next satellite, GEO Flight 4, is undergoing final assembly, integration, and testing in preparation for its anticipated launch in 2017. Additionally, SBIRS GEO-5 and GEO-6, which are currently in production, will feature a new common spacecraft bus, the modernized A2100. This state-of-the-art design aims to significantly lower costs and cycle times while enhancing the capacity to integrate future, cutting-edge sensor technologies.
