When a Navy satellite failed to reach its target orbit in July, the service called on Air Force Space Command to help find out what had happened. With the use of the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP), or “Neighborhood Watch,” satellites, the 1st Space Operations Squadron was able to collect imagery of the Navy’s Mobile User Objective System-5 satellite, according to a 50th Space Wing release. The GSSAP is able to provide electro optical situational awareness, including the location, orbit, and size, of space objects that analysts can use to determine what caused an anomaly. The detailed planning that went into the mission “was an outstanding learning event for our crews,” said Capt. Brett Kasischke, the 1st SOPS’ mission planning cell chief, according to the release. “Our tactics, techniques, and procedures were refined and, when called upon to assist with another satellite anomaly, we will be ready.”
The Space Development Agency added 21 satellites to its nascent data transport network in an Oct. 15 launch, the second mission in 10-month campaign to field 154 operational spacecraft.
