What are space based sensors?

What are space based sensors?

The Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) is a United States Space Force system intended to meet the United States’ infrared space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century.

What is the primary mission of the Space Based Infrared System?

The SBIRS program was designed to provide a seamless operational transition from DSP to SBIRS and meet jointly-defined requirements of the defense and intelligence communities in support of the missile early warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness and technical intelligence mission areas.

How many DSP satellites are there?

23 satellites
All 23 satellites were built by the prime contractor Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, formerly TRW, in Redondo Beach, California.

Who runs the Space Surveillance Network?

The system is operated and controlled by Space Delta 8, located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo.

How does the space surveillance network work?

The US space surveillance network (SSN) is a combination of optical and radar sensors used to support the Joint Space Operations Center’s (JSpOC) mission to detect, track, identify, and catalog all manmade objects orbiting the Earth.

What does SBIRS stand for?

The SBIR and STTR Programs The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization.

What is missile surveillance?

The Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) (formerly SBIRS-Low) was a pair of satellites developed by the United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to research the space-based detection and tracking of ballistic missiles.

Are DSP satellites still operational?

DSP satellites are operated by the U.S. Space Force. DSP’s first satellite launch took place in 1970. Although the constellation remains operational, its military mission is now primarily satisfied by the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) program.

What is DSP space?

Mission. Air Force Space Command-operated Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites are a key part of North America’s early warning systems. In their 22,300-mile, geosynchronous orbits, DSP satellites help protect the United States and its allies by detecting missile launches, space launches and nuclear detonations.

What are the two types of space surveillance radar?

The SSN uses three primary types of sensors to monitor the earth’s population of artificial satellites: conventional radars, phased-array radars, and an optical system known as the Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance system or GEODSS.

What is Hbtss?

The two Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) prototypes will launch in spring 2023, beginning several months of on-orbit testing. By Theresa Hitchens on March 29, 2022 at 2:45 PM. Artist’s illustration of a hypersonic missile tracking satellite constellation. (

Can satellites track missiles?

The STSS satellites circled the Earth 12 times a day from an altitude of 1,350 kilometers, using infrared sensors to gather data on missile launches and track U.S. missile tests.

Who has the most advanced radar in the world?

In today’s environment, information is the most powerful resource we have. SPY-7, the world’s most advanced radar, is therefore a critical tool for warfighters around the world.

What is deep space radar?

The operational Deep Space Advanced Radar Concept (DARC) at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, calls for three transmit/receive sites, spaced at mid-latitudes around the world, to detect, track and maintain custody of satellites.