May 20, 2011 By Amy Butler aerospace daily and defense report

The first Space-Based Infrared System (Sbirs) satellite designed for geosynchronous orbit, GEO-1, has reached its orbital destination following its May 7 launch from Cape Canaveral according to officials at Lockheed Martin.

Late May 18, the satellite began deploying its solar arrays, antennas and a light shade designed to protect the infrared sensors from the Sun. Col. Roger Teague, Sbirs program manager, says the satellite is continuing to perform well.

Sbirs executed six liquid apogee engine (LAE) burns to gradually increase perigee and reach the proper orbit about 22,000 mi. over Earth.

GEO-1 is the first of a series of satellites designed to replace the Defense Support System spacecraft in orbit. In addition to taking over the missile warning mission, Sbirs also will offer an unblinking infrared view using both scanning and staring sensors and contribute to a growing body of intelligence. The first IR data are expected to be transmitted early next month.

Sbirs, built on the Lockheed A2100 satellite bus, effectively passed its cousin, the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite (also based on the A2100) on its way to geosynchronous orbit. Though launched last August, AEHF experienced an LAE failure, prompting officials to employ other onboard thrusters for a much slower journey to GEO.

AEHF-1 is expected to reach operational orbit by Aug. 31, just more than a year from its launch.

May 12, 2011 defpro.com

Despite decades of significant investment, most of the Department of Defense’s (DOD) large space acquisition programs have collectively experienced billions of dollars in cost increases, stretched schedules, and increased technical risks. Significant schedule delays of as much as 9 years have resulted in potential capability gaps in missile warning, military communications, and weather monitoring. These problems persist, with other space acquisition programs still facing challenges in meeting their targets and aligning the delivery of assets with appropriate ground and user systems.

To address cost increases, DOD reduced the number of satellites it would buy, reduced satellite capabilities, or terminated major space system acquisitions. Broad actions have also been taken to prevent their occurrence in new programs, including better management of the acquisition process and oversight of its contractors and resolution of technical and other obstacles to DOD’s ability to deliver capability. This testimony will focus on the (1) status of space system acquisitions, (2) results of GAO’s space-related reviews over the past year and the challenges they signify, (3) efforts DOD has taken to address causes of problems and increase credibility and success in its space system acquisitions as well as efforts currently underway, and (4) what remains to be done.

WHAT GAO FOUND

Over the past two decades, DOD has had difficulties with nearly every space acquisition program, with years of cost and schedule growth, technical and design problems, and oversight and management weaknesses. However, to its credit, DOD continues to make progress on several of its programs—such as the Space Based Infrared System High and Advanced Extremely High Frequency programs—and is expecting to deliver significant advances in capability as a result. But other programs continue to be susceptible to cost and schedule challenges. For example, the Global Positioning System (GPS) IIIA program’s total cost has increased by about 10 percent over its original estimate, and delays in the Mobile User Objective System continue the risk of a capability gap in ultra high frequency satellite communications.

In 2010, GAO assessed DOD’s efforts to (1) upgrade and sustain GPS capabilities and (2) commercialize or incorporate into its space acquisition program the space technologies developed by small businesses. These reviews underscore the varied challenges that still face the DOD space community as it seeks to complete problematic legacy efforts and deliver modernized capabilities—for instance, the need for more focused coordination and leadership for space activities—and highlight the substantial barriers and challenges that small businesses must overcome to gain entry into the government space arena.

DOD continues to work to ensure that its space programs are more executable and produce a better return on investment. Many of the actions it has been taking address root causes of problems, though it will take time to determine whether these actions are successful. For example, DOD is working to ensure that critical technologies are matured before large-scale acquisition programs begin and requirements are defined early in the process and are stable throughout. Additionally, DOD and the Air Force are working to streamline management and oversight of the national security space enterprise.

While DOD actions to date have been good, more changes to processes, policies, and support may be needed—along with sustained leadership and attention—to help ensure that these reforms can take hold, including addressing the diffuse leadership for space programs. While some changes to the leadership structure have recently been made and others are being studied, it is too early to tell how effective they will be in streamlining management and oversight of space system acquisitions. Finally, while space system acquisition workforce capacity is essential if new weapon programs are to be successful, DOD continues to face gaps in technical and programmatic expertise for space.

The full report (GAO-11-590T) can be viewed at: http://goo.gl/e4XWV

2011-05-12 (China Military News cited from AFP)

The United States said Wednesday it wanted to set guidelines with China on the use of space, voicing worries that the Asian power is increasingly able to destroy or jam satellites. China stunned the United States in 2007 by becoming the third country to shoot down one of its own satellites in space, the first such test in the more than two decades since Washington and Moscow halted their "Star Wars" programs. Gregory Schulte, a senior US official in charge of space defense, described China's investment in the field as "eyeballing" and said he has asked his Beijing counterparts in past talks to set "rules of the road" moving forward. "We told them that we are worried that, particularly in crisis, a misunderstanding in space could easily lead to an inadvertent escalation that would not be in the interest of either of our countries," he said. The United States seeks an understanding "over what responsible behavior might look like," Schulte, a deputy assistant secretary of defense, told the congressionally mandated US-China Economic and Security Review Commission. However, Schulte doubted China would carry out a new anti-satellite test. The 2007 strike caused massive debris, with Schulte saying that the US military issued 700 warnings in the last year alone that satellites -- including those from China -- could collide with the junk. "Maybe they can't do something as dramatic and as embarrassing as the (2007) test, but they're clearly looking to exploit what they perceive as a weakness," he said. China, which also has an active civilian space program, has insisted that its efforts pose no threat. It carried out the 2007 test after then president George W. Bush rejected a call for an international ban on anti-satellite tests, saying the United States reserved "freedom of action." The United States and its allies have repeatedly urged China to show more transparency as it ramps up its defense spending. China said it plans to hike its defense budget 12.7 percent in 2011 to 601.1 billion yuan ($91.7 billion) in 2011. While experts believe the actual figure is higher, it is far less than the $700 billion US defense budget this year.

MOSCOU, 10 mai - RIA Novosti

Le centre de liaison des Troupes spatiales russes a modernisé 90% de ses équipements nécessaires pour effectuer les tirs spatiaux depuis les cosmodromes de Plessetsk (région russe d'Arkhangelsk) et de Baïkonour (Kazakhstan), a annoncé mardi à Moscou le porte-parole des troupes Alexeï Zolotoukhine.

"Nous avons remplacé les équipements vétustes par des appareils modernes au début de 2011", le centre de liaison des Troupes spatiales a été parmi les premiers sites militaires russes à adopter les technologies numériques, a indiqué le porte-parole.

Le centre de liaison des Troupes spatiales gère en moyenne 3.000 communications téléphoniques et la transmission de 1.000 télégrammes par jour, selon le porte-parole. Le centre assure également la liaison entre les sites du ministère russe de la Défense, les entreprises, les organisations faisant partie de l'Agence fédérale spatiale russe (Roskosmos) et les usines de défense de la région de Moscou.

Créé il y a 50 ans, le centre de liaison des Troupes spatiales a géré les lancements des vaisseaux spatiaux soviétiques Vostok, embarquant les premiers cosmonautes, puis ceux des capsules Voskhod et Soyouz.

May 9, 2011 ASDNews Source : Missile Defense Agency (MDA)

The Missile Defense Agency's Sea-Based X-band Radar (SBX) vessel will soon enter Puget Sound to arrive at Vigor Shipyard Seattle (formerly Todd Pacific Shipyards) in Seattle, Wash., for maintenance and upgrades. This work will begin in mid-May and will take about three months to complete. The radar will not be based in the Seattle area, and will not operate while in the shipyard. All vessel movements and work associated with the SBX are fully compliant with all environmental, health, and hazard laws and ordnances.

The SBX Radar is one of the sensors for our nation's missile defense system. Its mission is to identify ballistic missile threats and relay that information to the battle management, command, control and communications system for missile defense.

The SBX vessel will take several hours to cross the Puget Sound, and is expected to enter Vigor Shipyard Seattle within the next several days. While SBX is transiting in the navigable waters of the U.S., and while moored at Vigor Shipyard Seattle, a naval vessel protection zone (NVPZ) will be in effect around this vessel. The US Coast Guard will be assisting with the NVPZ.

source space.skyrocket.de

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., May 7, 2011 /PRNewswire

The first Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous (GEO-1) spacecraft, built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) for the U.S. Air Force, was successfully launched today at 2:10 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.  SBIRS GEO-1 is the most technologically advanced military infrared satellite ever developed and will deliver vastly improved missile warning capabilities for the nation while simultaneously improving the Nation's missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness mission areas. 

"Today's successful launch is a tribute to the hard work, dedication and unmatched expertise of the entire government and industry SBIRS team. I am proud of the women and men who have worked on this spacecraft, and am confident the nation will be proud of its performance on orbit," said Brig Gen (select) Roger W. Teague, the U.S. Air Force's Infrared Space Systems Directorate director. "SBIRS GEO-1 represents the dawn of a new era in overhead persistent infrared surveillance that will greatly improve our national security for years to come."

SBIRS GEO-1 includes highly sophisticated scanning and staring sensors that will deliver improved infrared sensitivity and a reduction in area revisit times over the current constellation.  The scanning sensor will provide a wide area surveillance of missile launches and natural phenomena across the earth, while the staring sensor will be used to observe smaller areas of interest with superior sensitivity.  These dual independent sensors will enhance early warning of missile launches around the globe, support the nation's ballistic missile defense system, greatly expand our technical intelligence gathering capability, and bolster situational awareness for warfighters on the battlefield.

"We understand the importance of the SBIRS mission and are proud to partner with the U.S. Air Force on this critical program," said Jeff Smith, Lockheed Martin's vice president and SBIRS program director. "Throughout the development of this first-of-its-kind satellite, our SBIRS team has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to operational excellence. As a result, we are confident SBIRS GEO-1 will deliver unprecedented, global, persistent, taskable infrared surveillance capabilities to the warfighter, nation and our allies for years to come."

The SBIRS team is led by the Infrared Space Systems Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. Lockheed Martin is the SBIRS prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman as the payload integrator. Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.

"The launch of SBIRS GEO-1 heralds a new era for missile warning and other missions enabled by overhead persistent infrared sensors," said Steve Toner, Northrop Grumman's vice president of OPIR and Azusa Programs.  "We can't wait to turn it on.  These sensors are highly capable, and we know that they will be of great value to our warfighters, our nation, and our allies."

Lockheed Martin's original SBIRS contract includes HEO payloads, two geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellites, as well as ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data. The team is also under a follow-on production contract to deliver additional HEO payloads and the third and fourth GEO satellites, and associated ground modifications.

STSS / PTSS Diagram

May 4th, 2011 MDAA

A proposed satellite system for tracking ballistic missiles as they coast through space would receive no funding next year under legislation unveiled May 3 by a House defense oversight panel.

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency requested $160.8 million in 2012 for the Precision Tracking Space System (PTSS), which is intended to provide cuing information to ground-based radars and interceptor systems. But the House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee, in marking up its portion of the 2012 defense authorization bill, denied that request in its entirety, according to a press release issued by the full committee.

The strategic forces subcommittee oversees the Pentagon’s nuclear weapons, missile defense, deep strike and space programs.

As currently conceived, the PTSS would consist of multiple satellites in low Earth orbit whose infrared sensors would track missile warheads against the cold background of deep space. It is the operational version of the experimental Space Tracking and Surveillance System, a pair of Northrop Grumman-built satellites that recently demonstrated so-called birth-to-death tracking: the ability to track a missile’s flight from launch to atmospheric re-entry.

Under the Missile Defense Agency’s current PTSS plan, another missile tracking demonstration satellite would be built by the Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. In its press release, the House Armed Services Committee provided no explanation for its decision not to fund PTSS.

Overall, the strategic forces subcommittee recommended spending $109.7 million more on missile defense next year than the $10.1 billion requested by the White House.

source defense-update.com

April 30, 2011: STRATEGY PAGE

Israel has revealed that it has six reconnaissance satellites in orbit (Ofek 5, 7 and 9 military photo satellites, a radar satellite and two commercial photo satellites). The oldest of these is the Ofek 5, which has been in service for nine years. However, the latest launch was last June, the 300 kg (660 pound) Ofek 9, went up. It used the same Shavit 2 type launcher that sent the similar Ofek 7 into orbit three years ago. Ofek 9 has more powerful sensors (able to see objects as small as 55 cm/twenty inches) than Ofek 7.

Ofek 9 was the ninth Shavit launch, and the sixth successful mission. The first launch of the Shavit was in 1988, and the current version (Shavit 2) can launch payloads as heavy as 800 kg (1,760 pounds). Israeli sometimes uses launchers from other nations. Three years ago, an Israeli radar satellite, TekSar (also called Ofek 8), was launched in India, using an Indian launcher. It was implied that the next spy satellite launch (Opsat 3000) won't happen for four or more years. Opsat 3000 will have much more powerful sensors. In addition to Ofek 7, Ofek 9 and TekSar, Israeli intelligence also uses Eros B and Eros A (Israeli civilian photo satellite) for some military missions.

The first two stages of the Shavit are also used for the Israeli Jericho 3 IRBM (Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile). Three years ago, Israel completed testing on the Jericho 3, which had actually gone into production the year before. With a range of nearly 5,000 kilometers, the Jericho 3 can drop a nuke anywhere in the Middle East. Jericho is a 30 ton, solid fuel, two stage missile, with a half ton payload. Israel is believed to have 50-100 of the shorter range Jericho 2s. This is a 26 ton missile with a max range of about 1,500 kilometers. The Jericho 1, developed with French assistance, entered service in 1973. This 500 kilometer range missile was gradually replaced by the Jericho 2, which entered service in 1989.

It requires two years for Israel to built a new recon satellite, and then it requires ten months to plan and carry out the launching, using an Israeli rocket. The satellite launch facility is located at the same Palmahim Air Base where Jericho 3 ballistic missiles and Arrow anti-missile missiles are also based.

source lockheedmartin.com

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., April 26 (UPI)

A Lockheed Martin-built missile warning satellite has been encapsulated in a launch vehicle payload fairing in preparation for launch into orbit. The Space Based Infrared System, geosynchronous (GEO-1) spacecraft is the first built by Lockheed Martin. SBIRS GEO-1 will enhance the nation's missile warning capabilities and improve other critical mission areas simultaneously, including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness. The satellite includes highly sophisticated scanning and starring sensors that will deliver enhanced infrared sensitivity and a reduction in area revisit times over the current constellation. Lockheed said the scanning sensor will provide a wide area surveillance of missile launches and natural phenomena across the earth, while the starring sensor will be used to observe smaller areas of interest with enhanced sensitivity. Launch aboard an Atlas V rocket is scheduled for early next month. The SBIRS team is led by the Infrared Space Systems Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. Lockheed Martin is the SBIRS prime contractor and Northrop Grumman is the payload integrator. The Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.

In Sunnyvale, Calif., Lockheed Martin engineers prepare the first geosynchronous (GEO-1) Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) spacecraft for shipment to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Photo: Lockheed Martin

April 21, 2011 by Noam Eshel DEFENSE UPDATE

The U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin team has delivered the first geosynchronous (GEO-1) Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) spacecraft to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., where it will be prepared for an early May liftoff aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle. SBIRS GEO-1, with its highly sophisticated scanning and staring sensors, will provide the nation with significantly improved missile warning capabilities and support other critical missions simultaneously including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness.

April 15, 2011 defpro.com

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), U.S. Navy sailors aboard the Aegis destroyer USS O’KANE (DDG 77), and Soldiers from the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command operating from the 613th Air and Space Operations Center at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, successfully conducted a flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) element of the nation’s Ballistic Missile Defense System, resulting in the intercept of a separating ballistic missile target over the Pacific Ocean. This successful test demonstrated the capability of the first phase of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) announced by the President in September, 2009.

At 2:52 a.m. EDT (6:52 p.m. April 15 Marshall Island Time), an intermediate-range ballistic missile target was launched from the Reagan Test Site, located on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, approximately 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii. The target flew in a northeasterly direction towards a broad ocean area in the Pacific Ocean. Following target launch, a forward-based AN/TPY-2 X-band transportable radar, located on Wake Island, detected and tracked the threat missile. The radar sent trajectory information to the Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) system, which processed and transmitted remote target data to the USS O’KANE. The destroyer, located to the west of Hawaii, used the data to develop a fire control solution and launch the SM-3 Block IA missile approximately 11 minutes after the target was launched.

As the IRBM target continued along its trajectory, the firing ship’s AN/SPY-1 radar detected and acquired the ballistic missile target. The firing ship’s Aegis BMD weapon system uplinked target track information to the SM-3 Block IA missile. The SM-3 maneuvered to a point in space as designated by the fire control solution and released its kinetic warhead. The kinetic warhead acquired the target, diverted into its path, and, using only force of a direct impact, destroyed the threat in a “hit-to-kill” intercept.

During the test the C2BMC system, operated by Soldiers from the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, received data from all assets and provided situational awareness of the engagement to U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Strategic Command.

The two demonstration Space Tracking and Surveillance Satellites (STSS), launched by MDA in 2009, successfully acquired the target missile, providing stereo “birth to death” tracking of the target.

Today’s event, designated Flight Test Standard Missile-15 (FTM-15), was the most challenging test to date, as it was the first Aegis BMD version 3.6.1 intercept against an intermediate-range target (range 1,864 to 3,418 miles) and the first Aegis BMD 3.6.1 engagement relying on remote tracking data. The ability to use remote radar data to engage a threat ballistic missile greatly increases the battle space and defended area of the SM-3 missile.

Initial indications are that all components performed as designed. Program officials will spend the next several months conducting an extensive assessment and evaluation of system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test.

FTM-15 is the 21st successful intercept, in 25 attempts, for the Aegis BMD program since flight testing began in 2002. Across all BMDS elements, this is the 45th successful hit-to-kill intercept in 58 flight tests since 2001.

Aegis BMD is the sea-based midcourse component of the MDA's Ballistic Missile Defense System and is designed to intercept and destroy short to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. MDA and the U.S. Navy cooperatively manage the Aegis BMD Program.

KAUAI, Hawaii, April 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/

Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT) Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system successfully tracked and engaged an intermediate range ballistic missile using data from a remote AN/TPY-2 radar during a test off the coast of Hawaii. This marked the Aegis BMD system's first engagement against an intermediate range ballistic missile, as well as the first time the system used a launch-on-remote capability, which allows the Aegis BMD system to employ remote sensors to detect threats as early in flight as possible. The Aegis BMD system fired a Standard Missile using real-time information from a remote sensor prior to the shipboard SPY-1 radar acquiring the inbound ballistic missile. "The Lockheed Martin-led team has evolved Aegis from an anti-ship missile system to the basis for the U.S. approach to global missile defense," said Lisa Callahan, vice president of maritime ballistic missile defense programs. "With this test, Aegis BMD proves that it can expand the battlespace and destroy ballistic missile threats earlier in their trajectory than ever before." The USS O'KANE (DDG-77) employed the first generation Aegis BMD configuration to complete this exercise conducted by the Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin.  This configuration, which added the capability for ships to defend themselves from short range ballistic missiles in the terminal phase of flight, was certified for operations by the Navy in March 2008. There are 25 Aegis BMD-equipped ships currently deployed – 21 U.S. Navy ships and four Japanese destroyers.  Three additional ships are planned to become BMD-capable this year.

April 15, 2011 Washington (AFP)

The US military on Friday successfully conducted its "most challenging test to date" of a ballistic missile defense system it will deploy in Europe to counter an Iran missile threat, officials said. "Initial indications are that all components performed as designed," said the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency in a statement of the test over the Pacific Ocean in which the latest Aegis ballistic missile defense weapon system successfully intercepted an intermediate-range threat missile. "The two demonstration Space Tracking and Surveillance Satellites, launched by MDA in 2009, successfully acquired the target missile, providing stereo 'birth to death' tracking of the target," the agency added. The ground- and sea-based defense system is meant to shield the United States and its European allies from a potential ballistic missile attack, possibly from North Korea or Iran. The defense agency said the test "demonstrated the capability of the first phase of the European Phased Adaptive Approach announced by the president in September, 2009." The plan put forward by President Barack Obama 19 months ago envisions a mobile system of sea-based interceptors that would protect against short- and medium-range missiles from Iran, rather than Tehran's yet-to-be-developed long-range arsenal. The Pentagon scrapped an earlier plan -- strongly opposed by Moscow -- that would have seen US missile defense facilities deployed in Eastern Europe. The Aegis system has suffered some high-profile setbacks in the form of multiple failed tests, including in December when an interceptor rocket meant to knock out incoming ballistic missiles failed its second test in a row. Out of 15 tests of ground-based interceptors since 1999, seven have failed, the defense department noted at the time. Friday's test saw the ballistic missile target launched from an atoll in the Marshall Islands, some 2,300 miles (3,700 kilometers) southwest of Hawaii at 6:52 pm (0652 GMT). US Navy sailors on the destroyer USS O'Kane launched an SM-3 Block IA missile approximately 11 minutes later, which released a kinetic warhead at target. "The kinetic warhead acquired the target, diverted into its path, and, using only force of a direct impact, destroyed the threat in a 'hit-to-kill' intercept," the agency said.