Since its ride into space almost one week ago, the Air Force’s first Space Based Infrared System geosynchronous satellite, GEO-1, has functioned flawlessly. “Things have been absolutely picture perfect for SBIRS. We could not have asked for a better launch and performance with the satellite thus far,” said Douglas Loverro, executive director of the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles AFB, Calif. Only 43 minutes into the launch, ground control established a contact, watching the satellite through its successful separation from the launch booster, Loverro told reporters during a telecon Wednesday. The satellite has already completed three of the six liquid apogee engine burns needed for it to reach its intended operational orbit. It’s expected to arrive at that perch on May 16, he said. Once there, ground controllers will run a series of final checks, before deploying GEO-1’s antennas and solar array.
The Air Force wants a new, affordable, air-launched standoff cruise missile ready to field in 2033. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center announced April 6 it will hold an industry day event to conduct market research on the Standoff Attack Weapon, or SoAW, on June 17 at Eglin Air…