Assembly and integration of the GEO-2 payload began in 2005 and included acoustic testing in September 2007, four cycles of thermal vacuum testing in April 2008, and a second two-cycle thermal vacuum test in February 2009. The test program exercised the payload over the full gamut of infrared backgrounds as observed from space and multiple point sources representing targets in flight. Scenes were projected into the payload apertures and processed by onboard target detection algorithms to prove complete functionality. In every performance and mission area, the GEO-2 payload surpassed compliance standards with solid positive margins, as well as stated requirements. Delivery of this second sophisticated payload is the result of a dedicated team of individuals from Lockheed Martin space vehicle integrator and the SBIRS prime contractor; Northrop Grumman’s Electronic Systems sector, the payload provider; and the SBIRS Wing at Los Angeles AFB, California. The SBIRS Wing is a 505-person unit that develops, deploys and sustains a $41-billion portfolio of surveillance satellites and ground stations for the DSP and the SBIRS High program. These systems detect, track and report global and theater ballistic missile attacks against the United States, its allies and combat forces to support warfighting decisions by combatant commanders. The Space Based Infrared Systems Wing manages the SBIRS program to develop the highly elliptical orbiting payloads and geosynchronous orbiting satellites, as well as the ground systems to support mission operations. 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 for developing, acquiring, fielding, and sustaining the world’s best space and missile systems for the joint warfighter and the nation.
Satnews Daily
April 22nd, 2009
The Melding Magic Beings — NGC's Payload + USAF's GEO-2
The Space and Missile Systems Center's Space Based Infrared Systems Wing has duly noted that the second Geosynchronous Earth Orbit payload from Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, California, has now arrived at Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Californa, for integration into the GEO-2 space vehicle.
This marks the completion of the GEO-2 payload production testing and is the final payload delivery under the Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract for two highly elliptical orbit payloads and two geosynchronous satellites. SBIRS is the next-generation missile early warning system designed to enhance and eventually replace the Defense Support Program satellites. The SBIRS mission areas include missile warning, missile defense, technical intelligence, and battlespace characterization. The GEO-2 payload consists of a scanning sensor and a staring sensor as well as other key, spacecraft subsystems and electronics that include a pointing and control assembly. The scanning sensor provides continuous observation and surveillance of traditional intercontinental ballistic missile threats. The staring sensor is able to detect very low signature, short-range ballistic missiles. Together, the sensors contain nearly one million detector elements in their two focal planes. The PCA is based on Lockheed Martin'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.
Assembly and integration of the GEO-2 payload began in 2005 and included acoustic testing in September 2007, four cycles of thermal vacuum testing in April 2008, and a second two-cycle thermal vacuum test in February 2009. The test program exercised the payload over the full gamut of infrared backgrounds as observed from space and multiple point sources representing targets in flight. Scenes were projected into the payload apertures and processed by onboard target detection algorithms to prove complete functionality. In every performance and mission area, the GEO-2 payload surpassed compliance standards with solid positive margins, as well as stated requirements. Delivery of this second sophisticated payload is the result of a dedicated team of individuals from Lockheed Martin space vehicle integrator and the SBIRS prime contractor; Northrop Grumman’s Electronic Systems sector, the payload provider; and the SBIRS Wing at Los Angeles AFB, California. The SBIRS Wing is a 505-person unit that develops, deploys and sustains a $41-billion portfolio of surveillance satellites and ground stations for the DSP and the SBIRS High program. These systems detect, track and report global and theater ballistic missile attacks against the United States, its allies and combat forces to support warfighting decisions by combatant commanders. The Space Based Infrared Systems Wing manages the SBIRS program to develop the highly elliptical orbiting payloads and geosynchronous orbiting satellites, as well as the ground systems to support mission operations. 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 for developing, acquiring, fielding, and sustaining the world’s best space and missile systems for the joint warfighter and the nation.
Assembly and integration of the GEO-2 payload began in 2005 and included acoustic testing in September 2007, four cycles of thermal vacuum testing in April 2008, and a second two-cycle thermal vacuum test in February 2009. The test program exercised the payload over the full gamut of infrared backgrounds as observed from space and multiple point sources representing targets in flight. Scenes were projected into the payload apertures and processed by onboard target detection algorithms to prove complete functionality. In every performance and mission area, the GEO-2 payload surpassed compliance standards with solid positive margins, as well as stated requirements. Delivery of this second sophisticated payload is the result of a dedicated team of individuals from Lockheed Martin space vehicle integrator and the SBIRS prime contractor; Northrop Grumman’s Electronic Systems sector, the payload provider; and the SBIRS Wing at Los Angeles AFB, California. The SBIRS Wing is a 505-person unit that develops, deploys and sustains a $41-billion portfolio of surveillance satellites and ground stations for the DSP and the SBIRS High program. These systems detect, track and report global and theater ballistic missile attacks against the United States, its allies and combat forces to support warfighting decisions by combatant commanders. The Space Based Infrared Systems Wing manages the SBIRS program to develop the highly elliptical orbiting payloads and geosynchronous orbiting satellites, as well as the ground systems to support mission operations. 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 for developing, acquiring, fielding, and sustaining the world’s best space and missile systems for the joint warfighter and the nation.