Lockheed Martin Corp. [LMT] delivered the spacecraft bus subsystems for the emergent Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellite, Lockheed announced.
It will be the second geosynchronous orbit (GEO-2) satellite in the system.
The GEO-2 spacecraft core structure and propulsion subsystem was recently completed and the high-performance communications subsystem for the spacecraft was delivered in early December.
Developed and tested at Lockheed Martin facilities in Newtown, Pa., and delivered to its Space Systems Co. subsidiary in Sunnyvale, Calif., the communications subsystem will deliver anti-jam, survivable communications and data from the infrared payload to the warfighter and provide worldwide coverage of missile launch detection and defense data. The subsystem also provides secure command and control of the satellite by continuous interaction with ground stations.
The propulsion subsystem is essential for maneuvering the satellite during transfer orbit to its final location as well as conducting on-orbit repositioning maneuvers throughout its mission life.
It was developed at the Lockheed Martin Mississippi Space & Technology Center, an advanced propulsion, thermal, and metrology facility located at the John C. Stennis Space Center.
The SBIRS propulsion subsystem design is based on the Lockheed A2100 geosynchronous spacecraft series and consists of 18 reaction engine assemblies, a fuel tank, two oxidizer tanks, and a liquid apogee engine.
In April, the fully tested GEO-2 Infrared Payload will be delivered by Northrop Grumman Corp. [NOC] unit Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., for integration into the flight configuration, leading to the start of the vehicle integrated test flow in summer and launch in fiscal year 2011.
SBIRS is designed to provide early warning of missile launches, and simultaneously support other missions including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace characterization.
Lockheed Martin’s current SBIRS contract includes the two HEO payloads now on-orbit, two GEO satellites, as well as ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data. The program is in the early stages of adding additional GEO spacecraft and HEO payloads to the planned constellation.