Satellites Track Missile Targets

KAUAI, Hawaii, Nov. 15 (UPI) — Space Tracking and Surveillance System demonstration satellites tracked two different missile targets to support a flight test of the THAAD weapon system.

Missile Tracking Satellites Finish Ahead

The Missile Defense Agency’s two Space Tracking and Surveillance System satellites met the goals of their experimental mission five months ahead of schedule, announced prime contractor Northrop Grumman Wednesday.

STSS Demonstrator Satellites, Built by Northrop Grumman, Track Short-Range, Air-Launched Rocket in Missile Defense Test

The Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) demonstration satellites successfully acquired and tracked a short-range, air-launched target (SRALT) July 8 in a test that showed their ability to track dim objects that have extremely short flight timelines. The satellites were built by Northrop Grumman Corporation, prime contractor, and Raytheon Company, sensor payload provider, for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The exercise verified target capabilities and did not involve an intercept attempt.

Short Range Air Launched Target Successfully Launched

The Missile Defense Agency successfully completed a flight test involving the launch of a Short Range Air Launched Target (SRALT) at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division-Point Mugu Sea Range, California. This flight test, designated FTX-17, successfully demonstrated an upgraded air launch and umbilical pull separation system, which had been redesigned to correct problems identified during previous tests.

Missile Defense Satellite Transmits Initial Picture

The first of four satellites to be deployed for the planned U.S. Space-Based Infrared System last month transmitted its initial infrared photographic data to ground operators, project contractor Lockheed Martin said on Thursday (see GSN, May 9).

City of Boulder Recognizes Northrop Grumman for Contributions to National Security and the Community

The City of Boulder issued a proclamation recognizing Northrop Grumman Corporation for its continuing contributions to national security and to the Colorado economy as a provider of leading-edge defense technology.

STSS Demonstration Satellites, Built by Northrop Grumman, Show New ‘Remote Cueing’ Capabilities During Aegis Test

The Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) demonstration satellites, built and operated by Northrop Grumman Corporation, contributed to a successful sea-based missile defense test April 15 by acquiring, after being cued remotely, a target missile during the midcourse phase of its flight.

Troubled Space-Based Infrared Satellite Program Finally Gets Off the Ground

SBIRS-High and SBIRS-Low.

At one time the two missile defense satellite systems were notorious examples of over budget, technologically challenged military space programs.

SBIRS — space-based infrared systems — was conceived in the early 1990s as the next-generation of spacecraft that could not only warn when intercontinental or theater ballistic rockets were being launched, but track them accurately enough to possibly shoot them down with a missile defense system.

Pentagon Mulls Hurdles To Early Missile Intercept

By Amy Butler

Nearly two years ago, Defense Secretary Robert Gates unveiled a new incremental strategy to protect much of Europe and the Eastern U.S. from an Iranian ballistic missile attack. The so-called Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) was designed with increments, each deploying new technologies in 2011, 2015 and 2018, and—eventually—the final phase would provide coverage from intercontinental ballistic missile threats from Iran in 2020.

C. A. ‘Dutch’ Ruppersberger Pushes For Billion-Dollar Missile Defense Satellite

A powerful House Democrat announced Wednesday that he will fight for a billion dollar-plus space tracking system for missile defense, despite the fact that Republican lawmakers have dropped funding for the system from the defense policy bill.

Rep. C. A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger (D-Md.), the top Democrat on the House Permanent Select Intelligence Committee who also sits on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, said he will push for an additional $168 million in the defense policy bill to cover costs of the Precision Tracking and Surveillance Satellites (PTSS).