Airmen working on the ground segment for GEO-1, the first Space Based Infrared Systems satellite, have completed months of testing in Boulder, Colo., to verify that they will be able to assess whether the satellite’ missile warning functions are performing properly once GEO-1 is on orbit sometime next year. “Completing integration of our software baseline that will provide missile warning certification for SBIRS GEO-1 is a tremendous step forward for the ground segment of the program,” said Col. Troy Brashear, SBIRS Ground Group commander at Los Angeles AFB, Calif. He added, “We are on the right track, evidenced by the early achievement of this milestone; the program is making solid progress toward delivery to launch.” This testing concluded in mid-September, eight days ahead of schedule. (Los Angeles release) (For more on SBIRS, read Missile Warning for the Future from the October issue of Air Force Magazine.)
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
