The U.S. Air Force’s Space Based Infrared Systems Wing has successfully completed development of its Flight Software Subsystem, July 29, at the Lockheed Martin site in Sunnyvale, Calif.

The completion of the FSS version 1.5 represents a major milestone for the SBIRS program. The software was developed over a 20-month period.  Precision and accuracy in the development process was absolutely necessary resulting in a stable flight software design and architecture for mission assurance. The FSS operates, controls and monitors the geosynchronous earth orbit satellite’s health, status and safety and performs important functions such as telemetry, thermal control, power management and fault detection and recovery activities. During the 20-month software development, single-line test activities for the spacecraft continued.  Incremental parallel development of both the software and hardware supported  overall spacecraft integration and test of the vehicle. This process was paramount in reducing any further delay of spacecraft delivery. The software will now undergo qualification testing in preparation for the final system tests leading to delivery of the first GEO satellite.  The spacecraft is scheduled for a Spring 2011 delivery.

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 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.