Denver, Colo., (May 15, 2008) – The U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center awarded United Launch Alliance a contract modification to perform the launch services for the Space Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS) GEO-2 satellite aboard an Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle. The anticipated launch period is December 2010 to March 2011 from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
The SBIRS GEO-2 space vehicle will provide missile warning quick reaction messages to National Command Authorities and missile defense data to destroy missiles and launchers. SBIRS will also provide wideband data to technical intelligence analysts and battle space characterization of the battlefield to the warfighter.
“United Launch Alliance is proud to continue our vital role in providing the latest technology for the warfighter with this second SBIRS GEO space vehicle launch,” said James Sponnick, ULA vice president of Atlas programs. “We look forward to working with the Air Force and Lockheed Martin Space Systems to successfully launch this important mission to support our men and women in uniform.”
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., the SBIRS prime contractor, and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., the payload subcontractor, are developing SBIRS for the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles, Calif. Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.
ULA program management, engineering, test and mission support functions are headquartered in Denver, Colo. and are supported by transition employees in Huntington Beach, Calif. Manufacturing, assembly and integration operations are located at Decatur, Ala., Harlingen, Texas, San Diego, Calif., and Denver, Colo. Launch operations are located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
For more information on the ULA joint venture, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321).
Contacts:
Julie Andrews, (720) 922-7121 (Office), (303) 974-8933 (Cell) julie.c.andrews@ulalaunch.com
Michael Rein, (321) 730-5646 (Office), (321) 693-6250 (Cell) michael.j.rein@boeing.com
