US tested satellite missile defense sensors

Northrop Grumman Corporation and Ball Aerospace have tested a payload for the next generation of the US Space Force's next generation geosynchronous continuous infrared (OPIR) satellites. These satellites are manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corporation. In addition, Raytheon is developing its own payload.

Next generation OPIR satellites refer to an early warning constellation. Their task is to detect the launches of intercontinental and tactical ballistic missiles of a potential enemy.

While Northrop Grumman and Ball Aerospace expect to transfer the payload to Lockheed Martin in 2023. The launch of the first next-generation OPIR satellite is scheduled for 2025. Lockheed Martin has signed a contract to build three next-generation OPIR geosynchronous satellites to complement the existing missile warning satellite constellation.

The US Space Force opted for Northrop Grumman. The company will develop two next generation OPIR polar-orbiting satellites. It is not yet known how Northrop / Ball or Raytheon payloads will be deployed on the three next-generation OPIR geosynchronous satellites. The final choice between manufacturers' payloads will be at Lockheed Martin.

It is also worth noting that Raytheon and Northrop Grumman / Ball Aerospace are developing sensors for two next-generation OPIR satellites being developed by Northrop Grumman.

The missile warning satellites are currently operated by Space Delta 4, based at Space Force Buckley, Colorado. This unit is responsible for operating an older constellation of satellites known as SBIRS. It also operates ground-based radars, which are used for strategic warning.

Comments

[soul]

tested payload for next generation geosynchronous satellites

The usual routine is going about their business.

[nobody75]

The bad news is that their satellites are tied into a single network, both among themselves and with the missile defense system.

[Mityay65]

Greetings!
I do not see the point in inter-ship communication of early warning missile satellites, if that's what you mean. This will complicate the equipment and increase the energy load on board. And it will significantly reduce the reliability of the system, which, in theory, should be 100% reliable.
If this is so, and the inter-board communication is laid down as the functionality of the early warning missile system, then, I suppose, OPIR has been endowed with new functionality that is not known to us. Maybe something interesting came up with.
And so the early warning system satellites are always part of a complex system, and are constantly tied to communication via communication satellites in the GSO with the Earth.
PS Why is it bad? The reliable functioning of the EWS of all interested has provided us all with a restful sleep for half a century.

[nobody75]

Greetings, I think we have. Remember the Boeing and the confusion with the missile launch coordinates? I think that in this regard, the number of sensors and lenses in the matrix has been increased, and the satellites themselves, due to retargeting, will overlap each other's areas of responsibility. So no "Peresvetov" will be enough. For this, the satellites are tied into a single network. As I expected, the "Starlink" system will play a major role in this network. As the developers tell us, the sprn satellites will record the launches of not only ballistic missiles, but also missiles, GZLA, etc. Also, the integration into a single network will allow the OPIR group to tie ballistic missile paths in the active section of the trajectory.
What's good about that?
Sincerely

[vadim dok]

Bad for WHOM? Please write more informative!

[nobody75]

For Russia...
Sincerely

[tralflot1832]

Probably ours warned, we are going to test Sarmat here, check your shaitan's arba. We'll have your golevudskoe OOPS! Don't.

[White man]

I wonder if stealth technology is affecting aircraft detection by spacecraft? About five years ago, this VO already had excellent optical photographs of a civil aircraft in flight. I am, to put it mildly, not an expert in the Aerospace Forces, but the question arises about the declared secrecy of our air strategists. For ground-based radars, EPR can be minimized, but for satellites? And what if, as in a science fiction film about the destruction of alien ships by an old battleship, a naval (like Chinese) multi-point system for detecting sea objects will be duplicated in near-earth space? Something was already about the Mask with his host of small devices. in this case, the problem of reliability is solved by multiple redundancy / duplication of both the primary data themselves, and communication channels, etc. True, the purpose for the Internet is usually declared, but this is a fleur. Experts, please clarify.

[nobody75]

I wonder if stealth technology is affecting aircraft detection by spacecraft?

In theory, it doesn't. The only question is to accurately bind the coordinates of satellite radars to a datum and link the satellites into a synchronized network. The latter is the hardest part.
Sincerely

[White man]

In terms of synchronization, I understand, but according to indirect data, today this problem is already being solved well. In particular, in cellular networks, in projects of "clouds of mosquito objects for different purposes (in quotes, my definition, as it is not in the know). It seems to me that the development of the trend of miniaturization and at the same time the unification of a large number of objects when performing the task is being traced in various areas. , nanotechnology in its primordial appearance Undoubtedly the use of advanced AI in management.
PS The power of mosquito forces (without quotes) is well demonstrated by the taiga: while the bear finds, the gnat will drink all the blood.