SBIRS Satellite on Station

The Air Force’s first Space Based Infrared System geosynchronous satellite, GEO-1, has reached its intended operational orbit and is performing well, announced lead contractor Lockheed Martin Tuesday. “Successfully reaching orbit and conducting deployments is a tremendous milestone for the SBIRS GEO-1 spacecraft. Thanks to a very talented and dedicated team, this first-of-its-kind spacecraft has performed flawlessly,” said Col. Roger Teague, USAF’s director of infrared space systems, in Lockheed’s release. The Air Force and its industry partners launched GEO-1, a sophisticated early warning satellite, into space on May 7 from central Florida. The government-industry team then successfully executed a series of six liquid apogee engine burns to propel the spacecraft to its geosynchronous orbital slot. The team subsequently deployed the satellite’s solar arrays, light shade, and antenna wing assemblies in preparation for activating its infrared sensors and the start of early orbit testing, according to the company.