USA Ready To Launch Missile Warning Spacecraft

In preparation for shipment to the launch site, SBIRS GEO-1, in its container, is loaded onto the U.S. Air Force C-5 at Moffet Field in Sunnyvale, Calif. Photo: Lockheed Martin

The U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin team has delivered the first geosynchronous (GEO-1) Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) spacecraft to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., where it will be prepared for an early May liftoff aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle.

SBIRS GEO-1, with its highly sophisticated scanning and staring sensors, will provide the nation with significantly improved missile warning capabilities and support other critical missions simultaneously including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness.

In Sunnyvale, Calif., Lockheed Martin engineers prepare the first geosynchronous (GEO-1) Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) spacecraft for shipment to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Photo: Lockheed Martin

“Shipment of SBIRS GEO-1 is a testament to the strong government and industry partnership, and the hard work and dedication of the entire SBIRS team. We remain focused on achieving mission success for this critical program,” said Col. Roger Teague, the U.S. Air Force’s Infrared Space Systems Directorate director. “GEO-1 will play a vital role in our national security space architecture, and we look forward to getting this satellite on-orbit.”
SBIRS GEO-1 will now be prepared for launch at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s former Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) Processing Facility, which was upgraded significantly in preparation for GEO-1. Facility upgrades were made to the electrical power supply, communication networks, environmental control systems, and cleanroom processing areas. A new access road was also built from the landing strip directly to the processing facility, which significantly reduces transport time and risk moving through traffic areas.

Prior to launch, the GEO-1 spacecraft will undergo post shipment testing, fueling and payload fairing encapsulation while in the DSCS Processing Facility. Upon completion of processing, the spacecraft will be mated on top of the Atlas V launch vehicle and perform final integrated testing and closeout preparations for launch. Approximately 24 hours before launch, the Atlas V/SBIRS GEO-1 spacecraft will roll to the launch pad and perform the final countdown preparations for launch.
“GEO-1 delivery to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station represents the program’s most significant milestone to-date and I am proud of the entire SBIRS team dedicated to delivering this cutting edge missile warning spacecraft,” said Jeff Smith, Lockheed Martin’s SBIRS vice president and program director. “When GEO-1 is launched , declared operational and its data is fused into the DSP and HEO constellation, SBIRS will deliver unprecedented, global, persistent, infrared surveillance capabilities to our nation for decades to come.”
The 22nd Airlift Squadron of Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and the 129th Rescue Wing of Mountain View, Calif., provided critical support of the delivery of SBIRS GEO-1. The U.S. Air Force C-5 crew, commanded by Major Brad Silver, ensured GEO-1 was transported safely and efficiently to the launch site, and worked with the SBIRS government and industry team throughout the mission to monitor the payload and ensure its safe delivery. The 129th Rescue Wing, Security Forces Squadron secured the entire operation at Moffet Air Field prior to departure.

The SBIRS team is led by the Infrared Space Systems Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. Lockheed Martin is the SBIRS prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman, as the payload integrator. Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.

Lockheed Martin’s original SBIRS contract includes HEO payloads, two geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellites, as well as ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data. The team is also under a follow-on production contract to deliver additional HEO payloads and the third and fourth GEO satellites, and associated ground modifications.

Configuration SBIRS-Systems GEO, HEO and Low-Components

Note On SBIRS
The Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) (pronounced "sib-errs") is a consolidated system intended to meet United States infrared space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century. The SBIRS program addresses critical warfighter needs in the areas of missile warning, missile defense and battlespace characterization.
SBIRS is an integrated "system of systems" that will include satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO), sensors hosted on satellites in highly elliptical orbit (HEO) and ground data processing and control. SBIRS ground software integrates infrared sensor programs of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) with new IR sensors. SBIRS continues to struggle with cost overruns, with Nunn-McCurdy breaches occurring in 2001 and 2005. By September 2007, the expected project cost had increased to $10.4 billion.
The original contract consisted of 2 HEO satellite sensors and 2-3 GEO sensors (and satellites) with an option to buy a total of 5 GEOs. In December 2005, following the third SBIRS Nunn-McCurdy violation, the government decided to compete GEO 4 and 5, with an option to buy GEO 3 contingent on the performance of the first two. Additionally, the government started a potential SBIRS High replacement program and proposals are currently being written (as of late June, 2006).
On June 2, 2009 Lockheed Martin announced it had been awarded a contract for the third HEO payload and the third GEO satellite, and for associated ground equipment modifications. On July 10, 2009, Lockheed Martin was awarded $262.5 million as down payment by the U.S. Air Force towards the purchase of a fourth satellite.