The first Operationally Responsive Space satellite, ORS-1, has achieved its initial/final operational capability, announced Air Force Space Command boss Gen. William Shelton. The satellite, which reached orbit in June 2011, includes a modified version of the SYERS-2 electro-optical/infrared imagery sensor employed by the U-2 surveillance aircraft. The satellite is helping to bolster the situational awareness of troops in Afghanistan. “Feedback we have received from US Central Command is that they are very pleased with the performance of ORS-1 to date,” said Thom Davis, ORS-1 program manager at Kirtland AFB, N.M. He added, “It is meeting requirements we established at the start of the program and they [USCENTCOM] are now finding new uses for it, so it continues to be a big impact to their overall mission operations.” The 1st Space Operations Squadron and Air Force Reserve Command’s 7th SOPS, both at Schriever AFB, Colo., control the satellite. (Kirtland report by Michael Kleiman)
The Smithsonian’s announcement that an F-117A Nighthawk, tail number 85-0818, is headed to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum, or NASM, is welcome news. The acquisition of this Nighthawk fills a long-standing historical gap—indeed, need—in the collections of what is generally considered the world’s premier air and space…
