Space-Based Infrared System: Difference between revisions

▲[[File:SBIRS-Architecture.png|thumb|upright=1.3|right|Configuration of SBIRS systems: GEO, HEO and Low components.]]

▲The '''Space-Based Infrared System''' ('''SBIRS''') is a [[United States Space Force]] system intended to meet the United States' [[infrared]] space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century. The SBIRS program is designed to provide key capabilities in the areas of missile warning, [[missile defense]] and [[battlespace]] characterization via satellites in [[geosynchronous Earth orbit]] (GEO), sensors hosted on satellites in [[Molniya orbit|highly elliptical orbit]] (HEO), and ground-based data processing and control.

▲{{As of|January 2018}}, a total of ten satellites carrying SBIRS or [[Space Tracking and Surveillance System]] (STSS) payloads had been launched: SBIRS GEO-1 ([[USA-230]], 2011), SBIRS GEO-2 ([[USA-241]], 2013), SBIRS GEO-3 ([[USA-273]], 2017), SBIRS GEO-4 ([[USA-282]], 2018), SBIRS HEO-1 ([[USA-184]], 2006), SBIRS HEO-2 ([[USA-200]], 2008), SBIRS HEO-3 (USA-259, 2014), STSS-ATRR ([[USA-205]], 2009), STSS Demo 1 (USA-208, 2009) and STSS Demo 2 (USA-209, 2009). The manufacturing contract for SBIRS GEO-5 and SBIRS GEO-6 was awarded in 2014, with the two satellites scheduled for delivery to the Space Force in 2022.<ref name=geo56contract>{{cite web|title=Contracts for May 25, 2017|date=25 May 2017|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1194658/|publisher=U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE|access-date=13 November 2017}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.losangeles.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/734759/sbirs-geo-5-6-contract-awarded/|title=SBIRS GEO 5, 6 Contract Awarded|publisher=U.S. Air Force|work=Los Angeles Air Force Base|date=June 27, 2014|access-date=January 4, 2018}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

▲== Background ==

▲Based on its experiences with the launching of short-range theater missiles by [[Iraq]] during the 1991 Persian [[Gulf War]], the [[United States Department of Defense|U.S. Department of Defense]] (DoD) concluded that expanded theater missile warning capabilities were needed, and it began planning for an improved infrared satellite sensor capability that would support both long-range strategic and short-range theater ballistic missile warning and defense operations. In 1994, DoD studied consolidating various infrared space requirements, such as for ballistic missile warning and defense, technical intelligence, and battlespace characterization, and it selected SBIRS to replace and enhance the capabilities provided by the [[Defense Support Program]] (DSP). The Defense Support Program is a strategic surveillance and early warning satellite system with an infrared capability to detect long-range ballistic missile launches, and has been operational for over 30 years. DoD has previously attempted to replace the Defense Support Program with:

▲* the '''Advanced Warning System''' in the early 1980s

▲* the '''Boost Surveillance and Tracking System''' in the late 1980s

▲* the '''Follow-on Early Warning System''' in the early 1990s

▲|agency=Reuters|date=7 May 2011}}</ref> Two SBIRS sensors hosted on two classified satellites in highly elliptical orbit have already been launched,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2009/0602ss-sbirs.html|title=U.S. Air Force Awards Lockheed Martin US$1.5-Billion Contract For SBIRS Follow-On Spacecraft|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605074247/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2009/0602ss-sbirs.html|archive-date=2009-06-05}}</ref> probably as part of the [[List of NRO satellites|NROL-22]] (USA 184) and [[List of NRO satellites|NROL-28]] (USA 200) launches in 2006 and 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Sep-2005/0336.html|title=Molczan in Satobs message 30 September 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Feb-2008/0515.html|title=Molczan in Satobs message 24 February 2008}}</ref> USA 184 and USA 200 are believed by analysts to be [[ELINT]] satellites in the family of [[Jumpseat (satellite)|JUMPSEAT]] and [[Trumpet (satellite)|TRUMPET]]; TRUMPET has been reported to have carried an infrared sensor called [[HERITAGE]].

▲The prime contractor for SBIRS is [[Lockheed Martin]], with [[Northrop Grumman]] as the major subcontractor. [[Lockheed Martin]] also provides the satellite for SBIRS GEO. The system's expected deployment was delayed from December 2009 to 2011 because of problems with Lockheed's workmanship on system components, including unresolved software malfunctions and several broken solder joints in a subcontract procured [[gyroscope]] assembly on the first spacecraft being built.<ref>Capaccio, Tony, "Delivery Delayed For Lockheed Martin's Early Warning Satellite", [[Bloomberg.com]], 30 September 2009</ref>

▲It was feared that a further launch postponement into late 2011 would lead to conflict with the planned launches of [[NASA]]'s [[Juno (spacecraft)|Juno]] spacecraft and [[Mars Science Laboratory]], which will all use the same launch facility.<ref>Thompson, Loren B. [http://www.lexingtoninstitute.org/launch-priority-missile-warning-has-to-come-first?a=1&c=1171 Launch Priority: Missile Warning Has To Come First] [[Lexington Institute]], 22 October 2010</ref> However, the first GEO launch, SBIRS GEO-1, was successfully conducted on 7 May 2011.<ref name="United Launch Alliance report"/>

▲According to a Reuters report, the first two SBIRS GEO satellites started operations in 2013.<ref name=LM56>{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/lockheed-wins-1-9-billion-deal-u-missile-025735789--finance.html|title=Lockheed wins US$1.9 billion deal for U.S. missile-warning satellites|agency=Reuters|date=Jun 25, 2014}}</ref> SBIRS GEO-3 launched on 20 January 2017,<ref>{{cite press release|title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches SBIRS GEO Flight 3 Satellite to Orbit for U.S. Air Force|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-sbirs-geo-flight-3.aspx|publisher=United Launch Alliance |access-date=14 November 2017|date=20 Jan 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Richardson|first1=Derek|title=Various issues prompt 24-hour scrub of Atlas V with SBIRS GEO-3 |url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/ula/various-issues-prompt-24-hour-scrub-of-atlas-v-with-sbirs-geo-3/|access-date=14 November 2017|publisher=Spaceflight Insider|date=19 January 2017}}</ref> and SBIRS GEO-4 was successfully deployed on 20 January 2018.<ref name="SBIRS GEO-4">{{cite web|last1=Clark|first1=Stephen|title=U.S. military satellite launched to fortify against missile attacks |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/01/20/u-s-military-satellite-launched-to-fortify-against-missile-attacks/|publisher=Spaceflight Now|access-date=26 January 2018}}</ref> In 2017, the United States Air Force requested US$1.4 billion in Fiscal Year 2018 for SBIRS, and funds for advance procurement of SBIRS 7 and 8.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Erwin|first1=Sandra|title=Production of new missile warning satellites likely delayed by budget impasse|publisher=SpaceNews|url=http://spacenews.com/production-of-new-missile-warning-satellites-likely-delayed-by-budget-impasse/|access-date=14 November 2017|date=20 October 2017}}</ref> While US$643 million in funding was provided for SBIRS in Fiscal Year 2019, funding for SBIRS 7 and 8 was eliminated in favor of a new program called "Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared" (Next Gen OPIR). Plans remained to launch SBIRS GEO-5 in 2021 and SBIRS GEO-6 in 2022.<ref>{{cite news|title=The end of SBIRS: Air Force says it's time to move on|first=Sandra|last=Erwin|publisher=SpaceNews|date=19 February 2018|url=http://spacenews.com/the-end-of-sbirs-air-force-says-its-time-to-move-on/|access-date=21 February 2018}}</ref>

▲[[File:SBIRS-Low.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|<center>SBIRS Low</center>]]

▲The SBIRS Low contract is now managed by the [[Missile Defense Agency]] (MDA) and has been subsequently renamed to the [[Space Tracking and Surveillance System]] (STSS).

▲The '''SBIRS Low''' program was originally expected to consist of about 24 satellites in low Earth orbit. The primary purpose of SBIRS Low was the tracking of ballistic missiles and discriminating between the warheads and other objects, such as decoys, that separate from the missile bodies throughout the middle portion of their flights. The system was to have two major sensors, coordinated by an on-board computer:

▲* a scanning infrared sensor, designed to acquire ballistic missiles in the early stages of flight.

▲* a tracking infrared sensor, designed to follow missiles, warheads, and other objects such as debris and decoys during the middle and later stages of flight. The tracking sensor would be cooled to very low temperatures.

▲In 2001, the Missile Defense Agency assessed the programs needed for a national ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) and found that they were lacking in the relatively new arena of space. The MDA decided to absorb the SBIRS Low constellation in its very early stages of development and renamed the program the [[Space Tracking and Surveillance System]] (STSS). This transition changed the direction of the program somewhat, but the overall mission remained the same — detection and tracking of ballistic missiles through all of its phases of flight.