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Raytheon Missile Warning Sensors Pass Key On-Orbit Test
Last Updated: 03/24/2011*
Sensor payloads developed by Raytheon Company have successfully completed early on-orbit testing as part of the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstration program.
Consisting of two satellites that carry the payloads in a low-Earth orbit, STSS is the nation’s first space-based tracking system that will be used to monitor cold objects such as ballistic missiles in space. Raytheon developed the sensors under contract to Northrop Grumman, prime contractor for the STSS Demonstration program.
“The STSS Demonstration sensors will greatly improve our nation’s technological capacity for defending itself against the threat of ballistic missiles,” said Bill Hart, vice president, Space Systems.
Both STSS Demonstration payloads contain an acquisition sensor, a tracking sensor and a processing subsystem and are able to detect infrared and visible light.
The early on-orbit test regimen, which was completed Nov. 3, 2010, included powering on the payloads, systems and software check-out, and calibration of the sensors. With this process completed, the Missile Defense Agency is putting the system through a series of increasingly complex exercises designed to demonstrate its ability to provide high-precision, real-time tracking of missiles as part of the nation’s Ballistic Missile Defense System.
“STSS is being tested against actual ballistic missile targets, and the results thus far have been very positive,” said Hart. “With its ability to track threats through all phases of flight, an operational system such as STSS could enable simultaneous theater, regional and strategic missile defense.”
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