LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, El Segundo, Calif. – Air Force Space Command provided ORS-1 for early COCOM acceptance and entry into trial period signifying the beginning of the satellite’s year-long mission under the direction of the 1st Space Operations Squadron and U.S. Strategic Command who will operate and task the satellite in direct support of USCENTCOM, Sept. 29.
Since its launch June 29, the ORS-1 spacecraft has undergone an exhaustive checkout from component initialization to sensor calibration and system characterization. The satellite features a modified version of the Senior Year Electro-optical Reconnaissance System-2 sensor currently flown on the U-2 aircraft and was developed to address a U.S. Central Command need for enhanced battlespace awareness. The satellite, which was developed as a partnership between the ORS Office and SMC’s Space Development and Test Directorate, uses an existing payload and bus structure to deliver new capabilities to the combatant commander in record time. ORS-1 was developed from an initial concept to an operational capability in just under three years.
“The entire government and contractor team worked tremendously hard to meet CENTCOM’s need and deliver ORS-1 in record time, and we are very proud of the capabilities ORS-1 is providing to CENTCOM today,” said Col. Carol Welsch, acting director for the Space Development and Test Directorate. “This success would not have been possible without the outstanding teamwork between the ORS Office, SMC, 50th Space Wing, Goodrich, ATK, Orbital Sciences Corp. and Lockheed Martin. I’m inspired by the dedication of this team and look forward to applying lessons from our ORS-1 experience on future responsive space programs.”
“This transition is an important step toward providing operational capabilities to support our deployed Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines,” said Dr. Peter Wegner, director of the Operationally Responsive Space Office. “I am extremely proud of the teamwork exhibited by the government and contractors.”
The Space and Missile Systems Center’s Space Development and Test Directorate transferred Satellite Control Authority of the ORS-1 to Air Force Space Command’s 14th Air Force, Sept. 15. This transfer of authority marked the end of the early-orbit checkout phase and the beginning of early operations for the Air Force’s first ORS mission.
The satellite will be focused on supporting the warfighter in the deployed theater. The satellite will also undergo a six-month Joint Military Utility Assessment, which will evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the system, as well as identify possible technical changes that can be made to improve future ORS missions.
