Air Force Space Command announces launch of GEO-1, the first Space Based Infrared System geosynchronous satellite. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V booster launched from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., carrying the Lockheed Martin satellite into orbit. GEO-1 joins SBIRS sensors already operating on host satellites. The Air Force expects SBIRS to complement and eventually replace its Defense Support Program missile warning satellites. (Lockheed Martin announces May 24 that GEO-1 has reached its operational orbit.)
Building satellites is hard enough on Earth, but a group of companies just received a contract from the U.S. Space Force that could pave the way to building satellites in orbit. Announced March 20, the goal of the $1.6 million award is to demonstrate building a standalone satellite on Earth…