The first geosynchronous Space Based Infrared Systems satellite completed its Open-Door Space Vehicle Thermal Vacuum Test, September 13th, at the development site in Sunnyvale, California.  The testing established an ambient baseline and verified the test console interfaces. Completion of the open-door testing validates the configuration of the vehicle is ready to begin closed-door TVAC testing, which will verify the satellite can survive and operate in a simulated space environment. “Successful completion of the Open-Door Thermal Vacuum testing is an important confidence-builder for the more rigorous testing encountered in our Closed- Door TVAC campaign.  So far, the spacecraft has performed beautifully!” said Col. Scott Larrimore, SBIRS Space Group commander. Air Force Space Command’s Space and Missile Systems Center, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the U.S. Air Force's center of acquisition excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems. SMC consists of six space systems wings and three groups responsible for GPS, military satellite communications, defense meteorological  satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control network, space based infrared systems and space situational awareness capabilities.