Space Based Space Surveillance
The Space Based Space Surveillance (SBSS) system is a planned constellation of satellites and supporting ground infrastructure that will improve the ability of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to detect and track space objects in orbit around the Earth. The primary SBSS contractor, Boeing, characterizes some orbiting space objects as, "Potential future threats to the United States' space assets."[1]
The SBSS development work is being conducted in coordination with the the Space Situational Awareness Group in the Space Superiority Systems Wing of the United States Air Force. The commander of the Space Situational Awareness Group believes the SBSS satellite operations center, "Will transform Space Situational Awareness by providing a gateway to a responsive, taskable sensor. This capability is key to enabling the event-driven operations concept of the future."[2]
Pathfinder satellite
The first "pathfinder" satellite of the SBSS system, originally scheduled to launch in December 2008 on a Minotaur IV rocket,[3] was launched 22 Oct 2009 on Minotaur IV.
References
- ^ "Boeing and Ball Aerospace Achieve New Milestone for SBSS Program". Boeing. 2008-04-21.
- ^ "Boeing Completes Hardware Installation for SBSS Satellite Operations Center". Boeing. 2008-04-28.
- ^ "Minotaur IV & V". Orbital Sciences Corporation. 2008.
See also
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