The Space Based Infrared Systems Wing at the Air Force Space Command’s Space and Missile Systems Center announced the successful completion of the GEO Interim Operations Ground System verification testing. Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Services builds and maintains the SBIRS ground segment system in Boulder, Colorado. 

The Space Based Infrared Systems mission is to develop, acquire and sustain space-based infrared surveillance, tracking and targeting capabilities for Missile Warning, Missile Defense, Battlespace Awareness and Technical Intelligence.  SBIRS program will use the GIO ground system to support launch and early orbit testing of the first SBIRS Geosynchronous (GEO) satellite. GIO Ground System verification testing began in December 2008 and included testing of more than 1.5 million source lines of code.  Verification testing provides objective evidence that the product complies with specifications.  In order to complete the verification tests, the Ground Segment team used scenario-based tests, which fully exercised an intricate suite of software modules through a robust combination of operational scenarios.  This suite of modules verified performance of Infrared Mission Processing, Telemetry, Tracking and Commanding, Mission Management, Ground Control and a series of common services. The SBTs also verified the software’s proper interaction with the Ground infrastructure such as the Interim Operations Center, the Relay Ground Stations, Communication Networks, and supporting elements.  GIO Ground System will now undergo validation testing to perform final checks before delivery in support of GEO – 1 launch.

The SBIRS team is led by the Space Based Infrared Systems Wing at the Air Force Space Command’s Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, California. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, California, is SBIRS’ prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., as the payload subcontractor. The 14th Air Force operates the SBIRS system.