Progress Made On Missile Defense Agency Space Tracking and Surveillance System Satellites

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The two STSS demonstration satellites will be launched on a single launch vehicle in a tandem configuration from Cape Canaveral.

by Staff Writers
Redondo Beach CA (SPX) Jun 22, 2007
Northrop Grumman, the prime contractor for the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) missile detecting Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS), announced the successful completion of thermal vacuum testing of space vehicle number 1. This major milestone is the culmination of months of space environmental testing to ensure successful on-orbit performance. The space vehicle will now go through a series of checkouts as it is prepared for shipment to the launch site later this year.

The second STSS space vehicle is being prepared for thermal vacuum testing, which will be completed later this summer.

The two STSS demonstration satellites will be launched on a single launch vehicle in a tandem configuration from Cape Canaveral.

These demonstration STSS satellites will support the MDA's Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) Test Bed by detecting, tracking and discriminating missiles in all phases of flight. The test bed will allow the assessment of the system's capabilities and its ability to operate in concert with other parts of a multi-layered missile defense architecture.

In the deployed operational constellation, STSS will consist of low-earth-orbiting satellites supported by a ground station. The system is designed to provide global, continuous missile detection and tracking capabilities.

STSS is the segment that is designed to close the fire-control loop for the entire ballistic missile defense architecture, which will result in a robust, global, multi-layered missile defense system.

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SPACEWAR

General Dynamics Wins Deal To Study Alternative Infrared Satellite Systems

Fairfax VA (SPX) Jun 21, 2007
The U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center has awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, a $6.4 million contract modification to continue work on the Alternative Infrared Satellite System (AIRSS) program. Under the terms of the award, General Dynamics will perform system design work leading to a system design review for the alternative to the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) program.

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