Lockheed Martin
Achieves Key Milestone On New Missile Warning Satellite
(30 April 2008) Lockheed Martin
announced today that it has achieved a major integrated test milestone on the
first Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous orbit (GEO-1)
spacecraft that enables the start of environmental testing in preparation for
launch in late 2009.
The GEO-1 satellite, designed to provide
new missile detection and surveillance capabilities for the nation, has
completed a comprehensive Baseline Integrated System Test (BIST) phase which
began in early March to characterise the overall performance of the GEO-1
satellite and establish a performance baseline for entering environmental
testing.
"I am proud of our entire team for completing this significant
milestone ahead of the planned schedule," said Col Roger Teague, the U.S. Air
Force's SBIRS Wing Commander. "We continue to build confidence as we march
towards the inaugural launch of this vitally important spacecraft."
With
the completion of BIST, the team will integrate the satellite's solar arrays,
deployable light shade, and thermal blankets and then prepare for acoustic and
pyroshock testing where the integrated space vehicle will be subjected to the
maximum sound and vibration levels expected during launch into
orbit.
"This comprehensive test confirms our readiness to enter the
critical environmental test stage," said Jeff Smith, Lockheed Martin's SBIRS
vice president and program manager. "Our team continues to make significant
progress on this sophisticated satellite and we look forward to achieving
mission success for our customer."
SBIRS is designed to provide early
warning of missile launches, and simultaneously support other missions
including missile defence, technical intelligence and battlespace
characterisation.
The SBIRS team is led by the Space Based Infrared
Systems Wing at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los
Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company,
Sunnyvale, Calif., is the SBIRS prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman
Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., as the payload integrator. Air Force Space
Command operates the SBIRS system.
Lockheed Martin's current contract
includes two highly elliptical orbit (HEO) payloads and two GEO satellites, as
well as ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data. The
Lockheed Martin team has delivered both HEO payloads and the first GEO
satellite launch is scheduled for late 2009. The first HEO payload has
completed initial on-orbit deployment and checkout and demonstrated that its
performance meets or exceeds specifications. The program is in the early stages
of adding additional GEO spacecraft and HEO payloads to the planned
constellation.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs
about 140,000 people world-wide and is principally engaged in the research,
design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced
technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2007 sales
of US$ 41.9 billion.
(source: Lockheed Martin)
