LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, El Segundo, Calif. – The U.S. Air Force’s second Space Based Infrared Systems geosynchronous satellite successfully completed Baseline Integrated System Test recently at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company in Sunnyvale, Calif. During these tests, the satellite and its components were evaluated to ensure proper operation as a total system. The payload and bus were tested in a manner similar to how they would perform while on orbit. All phases of the testing were successful.
“The successful completion of this milestone is indicative of the team’s increasing level of expertise leveraging our successful GEO-1 integration campaign,” said Col. Scott Larrimore, chief of the SBIRS Space Division. “We are well on our way to delivering the second SBIRS GEO satellite.”
The next major development activities will determine the flight-worthiness of the satellite in a space environment. The first environmental test will confirm that the satellite can survive vibrations from the launch through ascent to orbit. The second environmental test will confirm that GEO-2 can tolerate the temperature extremes experienced throughout its mission life in the vacuum of space. Then, a Final Integrated Systems Test will be performed verifying all hardware and software components are working properly and the team is ready to complete assembly of the satellite in preparation for delivery.
According to Col Michael Noble, deputy director of the Infrared Space Systems Directorate, “SBIRS’ persistent surveillance capabilities enable us to detect missile launches around the globe, support the nation’s ballistic missile defense system, expand technical intelligence gathering and bolster situational awareness for warfighters on the battlefield.”
The Air Force Infrared Space Systems Directorate at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is responsible for acquisition of the SBIRS program. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the prime contractor responsible for program management, systems engineering and spacecraft development. Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., is the payload subcontractor and supports systems engineering and ground mission processing development. Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.
