SBIRS Moves Forward

SBIRS Moves Forward: Lockheed Martin has completed development of the interim operations software for the Highly Elliptical Orbit payloads of the Space Based Infrared System. The company already has delivered the two HEO payloads under its current contract, which also includes delivery of two geosynchronous Earth orbit satellites, the first of which is slated to launch in 2008. Lockheed officials called development of the HEO interim operations software a “significant milestone” since this ground-based component of SBIRS “expedites processing of missile warning and technical intelligence data.” Elements of the SBIRS ground segment have been providing data since 2001, when operations began at the consolidated mission control station at Buckley AFB, Colo.