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Space-Based Infrared System
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The Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) is a consolidated system intended to meet United States infrared space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century. The SBIRS program addresses critical warfighter needs in the areas of missile warning, missile defense and battlespace characterization.
SBIRS is an integrated "system of systems" that will include satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO) and low earth orbit (LEO), sensors hosted on satellites in highly elliptical orbit (HEO) and ground data processing and control.
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Encyclopedia
The Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) is a consolidated system intended to meet United States infrared space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century. The SBIRS program addresses critical warfighter needs in the areas of missile warning, missile defense and battlespace characterization.
SBIRS is an integrated "system of systems" that will include satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO) and low earth orbit (LEO), sensors hosted on satellites in highly elliptical orbit (HEO) and ground data processing and control. SBIRS ground software integrates infrared sensor programs of the U.S. Air Force (DSP) with new infrared sensors.
SBIRS continues to struggle with cost overruns, with Nunn-McCurdy breaches occurring in 2003, 2005, 2006 and most recently 2007. It is now expected to cost over $10 billion.
The original contract consisted of 2 HEO satellite sensors and 2-3 GEO sensors (and satellites) with an option to buy a total of 5 GEOs. In December 2005, following the third SBIRS Nunn-McCurdy violation, the government decided to complete GEO 4 and 5, with an option to buy GEO 3 contingent on the performance of the first two. Additionally, the government started a potential SBIRS High replacement program and proposals are currently being written.
Background
Based on its experiences with the launching of short-range theater missiles by Iraq during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) concluded that expanded theater missile warning capabilities were needed and it began planning for an improved infrared satellite sensor capability that would support both long-range strategic and short-range theater ballistic missile warning and defense operations.
In 1994, the DoD studied consolidating various infrared space requirements, such as ballistic missile warning and defense, technical intelligence, and battlespace characterization. Consequently, it selected SBIRS to replace and enhance the capabilities provided by the Defense Support Program (DSP).
Defense Support Program
DSP is a strategic surveillance and early warning satellite system with an infrared capability to detect long-range ballistic missile launches that has been operational for about 30 years. The DoD has previously attempted to replace the Defense Support Program with:
- the Advanced Warning System in the early 1980s
- the Boost Surveillance and Tracking System in the late 1980s
- the Follow-on Early Warning System in the early 1990s
According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), these attempts failed due to immature technology, high cost, and affordability issues. SBIRS is to use more sophisticated infrared technologies than the DSP to enhance the detection of strategic and theater ballistic missile launches and the performance of the missile-tracking function.
SBIRS High
SBIRS High (also now simply referred to as "SBIRS") is to consist of four satellites operating in geosynchronous earth orbits (GEO) and sensors on two satellites operating in a highly elliptical orbits (HEO). SBIRS High will replace Defense Support Program satellites and is primarily to provide enhanced strategic and theater ballistic missile warning capabilities.
On August 5, 2008 Lockheed Martin (LM) announced that the first SBIRS HEO payload (HEO-1) had been handed over on-orbit to the Air Force, along with its associated ground system. The HEO-2 payload was announced to be on-orbit June 20, 2008.
A first launch for SBIRS GEO currently scheduled for late 2009.
The prime contractor for SBIRS is Lockheed Martin, with Northrop Grumman as the major subcontractor. Lockheed Martin also provides the satellite for SBIRS GEO.
SBIRS Low
Note: The SBIRS Low contract is now managed by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and has been subsequently renamed to the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS).
Original SBIRS Low
The SBIRS Low program is expected to consist of about 24 satellites in low earth orbit. The primary purpose of SBIRS-low is tracking ballistic missiles and discriminating between the warheads and other objects, such as decoys, that separate from the missile bodies throughout the middle portion of their flights. It has two major sensors which it must coordinate with an on-board computer:
- a scanning infrared sensor, which is to acquire ballistic missiles in the early stages of flight.
- a tracking infrared sensor, which is to follow missiles, warheads, and other objects such as debris and decoys during the middle and later stages of flight. The tracking sensor will be cooled to very low temperatures.
SBIRS Low's original deployment schedule was 2010, the date when its capabilities are needed by the National Missile Defense System. The first SBIRS Low satellites need to be launched in 2006 if full deployment is to be accomplished by 2010.
Space Tracking and Surveillance System
In 2001, the Missile Defense Agency assessed the programs needed for a national ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) and decided to absorb the SBIRS Low constellation in its very early stages of development and renamed the program the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS). This transition changed the direction of the program somewhat, but the overall mission remained the same: detection and tracking of ballistic missiles through all of its phases of flight.
Ground segment
The ground segment of SBIRS consists primarily of the Mission Control Station (MCS) at Buckley AFB, Aurora, Colorado, the Mission Control Station Backup (MCSB) at Schriever AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado (8SWS Detachment 2) and the Survivable Mission Control Station (SMCS). 2 Space Warning Squadron and its reserve component, 8 Space Warning Squadron. In addition, the Joint Tactical Ground Stations (JTAGS) provide deployable downlinks for SBIRS data.
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