BIST represented the first-time incorporation of the newly updated flight software with the satellite hardware. Over one-year in development, the updated flight software functioned with minimal discrepancies during testing. BIST entails functional testing of both the payload and the spacecraft; and represents a major milestone in the development and integration of a fully functioning satellite.
"Completion of this key spacecraft test with new flight software represents another significant milestone for SBIRS and is testimony to the entire team's strong commitment and ability to achieve mission success on this program," said Dave Sheridan, Lockheed Martin's SBIRS GEO program director. "We are on track to enter thermal vacuum testing and look forward to our continued progress and providing unparalleled warning and intelligence capabilities to the warfighter."
SBIRS is the nation's next generation early missile warning system replacing the legacy Defense Support Program satellite with unrivaled missile warning capability delivering a new generation of space based satellites providing missile warning, missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness to combatant commanders. SBIRS is revolutionizing space based infrared monitoring of the earth with its wide field of view, increased sensitivity, fast revisit rate and persistent presence.
"The SBIRS program continues to make steady progress towards launch. This was a major risk reduction activity for the program with the newly redesigned flight software being tested on the satellite for the first time. Everything went very smooth. With the completion of BIST, we have proven the combined spacecraft, payload and new flight software work together and now we're ready to begin the critical thermal vacuum test phase," said Lt. Col. Heath Collins, commander of the SBIRS Space Squadron, part of the SBIRS Wing, responsible for the geosynchronous spacecraft procurement, integration, test and launch activities.
"This milestone could not have occurred without the drive and dedication of the entire SBIRS team. They put in long hours and weekends since before the holidays until the successful completion of BIST. Their skill and thoroughness have definitely paid off," said Collins.
The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center's Space Based Infrared Systems Wing manages the SBIRS program to develop both the highly elliptical orbiting payloads and geosynchronous orbiting satellites, as well as the ground systems to support mission operations.