"At this point, we do not assess any impact to the schedule but continue to evaluate that day by day," said Col. Brian Denaro, SSC's program manager for Next Gen OPIR.
Atlas V Rocket Launches Space Force’s 5th SBIRS Geo-5 Missile Warning Satellite Our Bureau 411
An Atlas V rocket carrying the U.S. Space Force’s SBIRS Geo-5 missile warning satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida earlier today.
As planned, Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (SBIRS GEO-5) satellite built by Lockheed Martin is responding to the Space Force’s Space Delta 4 operations team’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.
The fifth SBIRS missile warning satellite in thermal vacuum testing. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
The final pair of SBIRS satellites are ready for lift-off.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is making final preparations to launch the fifth and sixth geosynchronous Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellites for the US Space Force.
‘The launch is on track for May 17 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station,’ ULA announced on 15 May. The mission will launch on an Atlas V 421 configuration rocket.
The fifth and sixth SBIRS Geo launches will complete the Lockheed Martin-built satellite constellation.
SBIRS comprises a network of geosynchronous satellites and highly elliptical orbit payloads to provide persistent IR surveillance – as well as sophisticated ground control systems that manage the data – to support missile warning, missile defence, battlespace awareness and technical intelligence.
The new SBIRS satellite, called SBIRS GEO 5, will be "the most advanced missile warning satellite" on orbit, said Lt. Col. Ryan Laughton, SMC's program manager.