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Lockheed Delivers Key Software, Hardware for SBIRS Satellite |
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SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 2, 2006/Satnews Daily/ — The Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) team developing the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) has successfully delivered a critical payload subsystem and associated software integral to the program's first geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellite.
SBIRS, with its highly sophisticated scanning and staring sensors, is designed to provide the U.S. with significantly improved missile warning capabilities and support other missions simultaneously including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace characterization.
Lockheed said the software will provide for the effective control and testing of the spacecraft's Pointing and Control Assembly (PCA), both of which were delivered to Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., for payload integration and testing. The GEO PCA features Lockheed’s patented reaction-less gimbal system, which allows the satellite to rapidly and repeatedly scan an area of interest for infrared activity while not interfering with the satellite's ability to simultaneously stare at another area.
The completed payload is scheduled to be delivered to Lockheed’s facilities in Sunnyvale, Calif., in mid-2007 for final spacecraft assembly, integration and test in preparation for launch in fiscal year 2008.
“The PCA and its associated software are essential to the vital capabilities that SBIRS will provide to the warfighter,” said Mark Crowley, Lockheed's SBIRS vice president. “The team continues to perform with sustained momentum and a relentless focus on achieving mission success on this critical national program.”
Lockheed added the team is also in the midst of an important spacecraft test phase at Lockheed’s facilities in Sunnyvale, Calif. Known as Spacecraft Functional Testing (SCFT), this major milestone will verify the functional requirements of the GEO spacecraft and further assure that the structure is assembled to specification.
The spacecraft is tested at ambient conditions to verify correct operation of the electrical power, command and data handling, thermal management, guidance navigation and control, communication and propulsion subsystems.
Following successful completion of SCFT, the team will prepare the spacecraft for engineering thermal vacuum testing which will verify the spacecraft performance at temperature extremes greater than those expected during on-orbit operations. Lockheed is currently under contract to provide two payloads in highly elliptical orbit (HEO) and two GEO satellites, as well as fixed and mobile ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data. The team has delivered both HEO payloads and is on track to launch the first GEO satellite in fiscal year 2008.
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