Launched in January, SBIRS GEO-3 achieves operational status

United Launch Alliance sent the fourth spacecraft of the GEO space-based infrared system to orbit on January 19, 2018 on an Atlas V 411 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photo credit: ULA

CAP-CANAVERAL, Florida – GEO-3, the last space-based geostationary satellite in the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) constellation, has been accepted by the US Air Force.

This is the fourth satellite of the constellation to start active operations. GEO-3 was launched on January 19, 2018 at the top of an Atlas V 411 booster at Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida.

Before declaring the satellite operational, several activities had to be conducted in orbit to verify the integrity and operation of the spacecraft. Once GEO-3 reached its designated orbit, satellites, solar panels, and antenna wing assemblies were deployed. Once these have been completed, the sensor tests have begun. Once the tests were completed, the vehicle was deemed ready to function as a "calibrated and calibrated payload ready for use by fighters," according to the Air Force's official press release on the state of the art. the spacecraft.

"Operational acceptance means that spacecraft infrared sensors are now considered fully operational and ready for fighters," said Lieutenant-Colonel Leroy Brown, director of the SBIRS GEO-3 program, in a press release. . "This is a huge win for the combined Program Office team, Lockheed Martin Space and Northrop Grumman, as well as military, civilian and civilian users of the infrared data provided by the SBIRS satellite constellation."

GEO-3 joins the other GEO-1, GEO-2 and GEO-4 working satellites already in orbit. GEO-4 was launched before GEO-3 in 2017 to avoid storage of the all-new GEO-4. Two other satellites, GEO-5 and GEO-6, will complete the SBIRS constellation.

SBIR is designed to replace the former Defense Support Program (DSP). Started 45 years ago, the DSP provided missile alerts and detections. The SBIR provides new missile launch detection capabilities that were not possible under the DSP, including new scanning sensors designed to locate missiles in the early stages of flight. For later phases of missile flight, new tracking sensors monitor the missile and the lures, debris or other objects. Lockheed Martin is the main contractor of the SBIRS program. Northrop Grumman provides payload integration.

Tagged: Atlas V Lockheed-Martin SBIRS The US Air Force Range

<! –

->

Joe Latrell

Joe Latrell has always been passionate about space
rocket company in Roswell, NM in addition to other areas of consumption
the efforts. He continues to design, build and launch his own rockets and is passionate about seeing the next generation excited about the opportunities for space exploration. Joe brings his business and small business experience to organizations such as Teachers In Space, Inc. He is also actively investing his many skills in this church and other non-profit activities.