Tue, May 10, 2011
Infrared System Will Eventually Replace 1960's Vintage
Constellation
The U.S. Air Force's 45th Space Wing successfully launched a
United Launch Alliance-built Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch
Vehicle at 1410 EDT Saturday today from Space Complex 41.
The Atlas V rocket carried into orbit the Space Based Infrared
System (SBIRS) GEO-1 satellite. This SBIRS GEO launch begins the
replacement of the Defense Support Program (DSP) constellation,
which has been in operations since 1960. SBIRS will provide
critical functions for protecting the United States and its allies
by supporting four mission areas: Missile Warning (MW), Missile
Defense (MD), Battlespace Awareness (BA), and Technical
Intelligence (TI).
Gen. William Shelton, Air Force Space Command commander,
highlighted this launch was the culmination of many years of hard
work and a tremendous team effort. "Last year, we celebrated the
40th anniversary of DSP. Today, we launched the next generation
missile warning capability. It's taken a lot of hard work by the
government-industry team and we couldn't be more proud. We look
forward to this satellite providing superb capabilities for many
years to come," said General Shelton.
Brig. Gen. Ed Wilson, commander, 45th Space Wing, said the
entire 45th Space Wing team was also pleased to be a part of this
milestone launch.
"The teamwork across the Air Force Space Command made this
launch a success and is another example of how our Air Force
delivers assured space launch, range and combat capabilities for
the nation," General Wilson said. "On a personal note, it is
tremendously gratifying to be involved in the fielding of this
next-generation SBIRS capability since my father was involved in
the operational standup of the original DSP capability in the early
1970s while he was on active duty."
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