BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. Following a successful launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on May 18, the U.S. Space Force s Space Delta 4 operations team is now talking with the fifth Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (SBIRS GEO-5) satellite.
As planned, SBIRS GEO-5-built by Lockheed Martin -is responding to the Delta s commands. Signal acquisition was confirmed approximately ~36 minutes after the satellite s 1:37 p.m. EDT launch aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket. Now separated from the rocket, the satellite is continuing on to orbit under its own propulsion.
SBIRS GEO-5 is the latest satellite to join the Space Force s orbiting Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) missile warning constellation equipped with powerful scanning and staring surveillance sensors. These 24-7, always-on, orbital guardians detect missile launches, support ballistic missile defense, expand technical intelligence gathering a