The first Space Based Infrared Systems geosynchronous (GEO-1) satellite was off-loaded from a C-5 Galaxy aircraft at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., March 3. The encapsulated satellite was transported to the Defense Satellite Communications System Processing Facility where final check out and tests will be performed prior to launch. SBIRS GEO-1 is scheduled for launch in early May aboard an Atlas V Launch vehicle. (Courtesy Photo)
The Space Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS) program office will hold a joint media roundtable with Lockheed Martin Tuesday, April 12, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Mountain Daylight Time) at the Space Foundation Media Center, National Space Symposium, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Those who have been invited will attend a briefing by Brig. Gen. (s) Roger Teague, director of SMC's Infrared Space Systems Directorate, and Mr. Jeff Smith, Lockheed Martin's vice president and SBIRS program director, will provide a program overview including the GEO-1spacecraft's upcoming launch, the satellite's improved capabilities, SBIRS mission and overall program progress, in preparation for its early May launch. The SBIRS program is designed to replace the Defense Support Program satellite constellation. SBIRS will provide significantly enhanced capabilities to support missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness and technical intelligence missions.
SBIRS space assets provide Overhead Persistent Infrared capability in four distinct mission areas: Missile Warning, Missile Defense, Technical Intelligence and Battle Space Awareness. The SBIRS team is led by SMC/IS. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, California, is the SBIRS prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, California, as the payload subcontractor.