{"id":37750,"date":"2020-04-28T20:49:10","date_gmt":"2020-04-28T20:49:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/04\/28\/the-space-forces-next-missile-warning-satellite-is-one-step-closer-to-2021-launch\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:26:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:26:22","slug":"the-space-forces-next-missile-warning-satellite-is-one-step-closer-to-2021-launch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/space\/2020\/04\/28\/the-space-forces-next-missile-warning-satellite-is-one-step-closer-to-2021-launch\/","title":{"rendered":"The Space Force\u2019s next missile warning satellite is one step closer to a 2021 launch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With thermal vacuum testing having begun April 16, the next space-based missile warning satellite has reached a major milestone, the Space and Missile Systems Center announced April 24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Space Based Infrared System, or SBIRS, satellites use infrared surveillance to provide global missile warning capabilities for the U.S. military. The system currently consists of four satellites in geosynchronous orbit and two active satellites in highly elliptical orbits that provide full coverage of the Earth\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lockheed Martin was awarded a $1.86 billion contract in 2014 to produce the fifth and sixth geosynchronous SBIRS satellites, which will replace the first two in the constellation. The two new satellites are derivatives of the third and fourth geosynchronous satellites and are expected to improve overall system resiliency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lockheed Martin began thermal vacuum testing \u2014 which simulates the effects of the vacuum of space \u2014 on the fifth geosynchronous satellite, or GEO-5. The test cycles through hot and cold temperature ranges to ensure that the satellite will work in the harsh environment of space. According to SMC, the testing is a major milestone that drives final testing and assembly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTVAC testing represents the culmination of hundreds of thousands of hours of work by both the government and Lockheed Martin Space ensuring that we are giving the warfighter a national asset. I am proud of the men and women of the SBIRS program and their families for the years of sacrifice to get us to this point.\u201d said Lt. Col. Ryan Laughton, SBIRS GEO-5\/6 program manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\t