Space Tracking and Surveillance System
Encyclopedia
The United States Missile Defense Agency
(MDA) is developing a Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) which it will use to research the space-based detection and tracking of ballistic missile
s. Data from STSS satellite
s could allow interceptors to engage incoming missiles earlier in flight than would be possible with other missile detection systems. The STSS program began in 2001, when the "SBIRS Low
" program was transferred to MDA from the United States Air Force
.
launch vehicle. Launch took place September 25, 2009, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 17. One of the two satellites had been shipped to Cape Canaveral May 4, 2009; the second satellite arrived at the launch site on June 25, 2009.
It was reported that several items of debris, identified by amateur satellite watchers as remnants of the Delta-2 launch vehicle, had crashed in a field in Mongolia on the February 19, 2010.
, http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/news.html?d=225914 , http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/news.html?d=226850
June 2010
Ground-Based Interceptor test launch – 6/6/2010
First STSS Object Sighting Messages (OSM) of a missile
First on-board missile track formed
ICBM Minuteman III test launch – 6/16/2010
First dual satellite collect of target, and
First target acquisition from a target launched beyond the horizon
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system test – 6/28/2010
First OSMs sent to Enterprise Sensors Laboratory at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., for data fusion with other sensors in real time
First track of a dim theater missile
July 2010
First track of a resident space object – 7/19/2010
Tracked a NOAA weather satellite 7/19/2010 for several minutes (externally queued)
First autonomous acquisition sensor to track sensor handover of a target – 7/23/2010
Hand-off demonstration occurred when STSS acquired a ground laser source operated by U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory from the Starfire Optical Range at Kirtland Air Force Base, NM
August 2010
First track of an aircraft
Precision track sensor operation below the horizon during daylight – 8/5/2010
First autonomous acquisition sensor to track sensor handover of an aircraft
September 2010
Airborne Laser Test Bed Exercise – 9/1/2010
First autonomous acquisition sensor to track sensor handover of a boosted target
ICBM Minuteman III test launch – 9/17/2010
First post boost track continuation of a target with track sensor
First demonstration of track sensor generating multiple tracks for separating objects
October 2010
Aegis Launch on Remote Campaign
First Track sensor stereo track of a dim boosted target
First stereo post boost tracking of midcourse target
March 2011
Second Aegis Readiness Assessment Vehicle Targeting – 3/9/2011
STSS satellites acquired and tracked its target until re-entry
Second full-course tracking during U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Aegis launch - 3/15/11
Successful production of "stereo" 3-D tracking software to follow the target missile's flight path to predict its impact point
April 2011
Sea-based missile defense test - 4/15/11
STSS satellites targeted and help to intercept a intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) and destroyed the IRBM on impact
July 2011
STSS test on short-range, air-launched target (SRALT)- 7/8/11
This test proved the STSS's ability to track dim objects that have extremely short flight timelines
Missile Defense Agency
The Missile Defense Agency is the section of the United States government's Department of Defense responsible for developing a layered defense against ballistic missiles. The agency has its origins in the Strategic Defense Initiative, which was established in 1983 and was headed by Lt...
(MDA) is developing a Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) which it will use to research the space-based detection and tracking of ballistic missile
Ballistic missile
A ballistic missile is a missile that follows a sub-orbital ballistic flightpath with the objective of delivering one or more warheads to a predetermined target. The missile is only guided during the relatively brief initial powered phase of flight and its course is subsequently governed by the...
s. Data from STSS satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
s could allow interceptors to engage incoming missiles earlier in flight than would be possible with other missile detection systems. The STSS program began in 2001, when the "SBIRS Low
Space-Based Infrared System
The Space-Based Infrared System is a consolidated system intended to meet the United States' infrared space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century...
" program was transferred to MDA from the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
.
Launch
Two demonstration satellites were launched together on a single Delta IIDelta II
Delta II was an American space launch system, originally designed and built by McDonnell Douglas. Delta II is part of the Delta rocket family and was in service from 1989 until November 1, 2011...
launch vehicle. Launch took place September 25, 2009, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 17. One of the two satellites had been shipped to Cape Canaveral May 4, 2009; the second satellite arrived at the launch site on June 25, 2009.
It was reported that several items of debris, identified by amateur satellite watchers as remnants of the Delta-2 launch vehicle, had crashed in a field in Mongolia on the February 19, 2010.
Early detection
The perceived advantage of STSS is that its satellites, by operating at a lower altitude and by using long- and short-wave infrared sensors, will be able to acquire and track missiles in midcourse and during the boost phase.The role of STSS
STSS is designed to be the low earth orbiter within the layered Ballistic Missile Defense System. It complements the geosynchronous Defense Support Program, the Space-Based Infrared System, and other Overhead Non-Imaging Infrared systems and provides tracking cues to systems on the surface. The STSS program is developed in phases, the first of which is the launch of two demonstrator satellites. The demonstrators will perform experiments and prove out systems and processes to establish a knowledge base for future operational designs. The demonstration satellites, built by Northrop Grumman and Raytheon detected and tracked a two-stage Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) during a U.S. Missile Defense Agency flight test on June 6, 2010.Congressional Testimony
According to Congressional testimony, military officials believe that STSS has the potential to bolster the nation’s missile defense system. “Two recent flight tests demonstrated that STSS dramatically improved the precision of threat missile attacks and provided more accurate fire control quality data to the Aegis ships several minutes earlier than less accurate data provided by organic radars in the Aegis or THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) systems,” U.S. Army Lt. General Patrick J. O’Reilly, Director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, told the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee’s Defense subcommittee in prepared testimony on May 25, 2011. http://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/PS_SAC-D_Hearing.LTG_O'Reilly.25_MAY_2011.pdfTimeline of STSS Testing
According to Global Newswire (sourced by Northrop Grumman) press releases, the following is a summary of the STSS Demonstration program satellites' on-orbit performance., http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/news.html?d=225914 , http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/news.html?d=226850
June 2010
Ground-Based Interceptor test launch – 6/6/2010
First STSS Object Sighting Messages (OSM) of a missile
First on-board missile track formed
ICBM Minuteman III test launch – 6/16/2010
First dual satellite collect of target, and
First target acquisition from a target launched beyond the horizon
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system test – 6/28/2010
First OSMs sent to Enterprise Sensors Laboratory at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., for data fusion with other sensors in real time
First track of a dim theater missile
July 2010
First track of a resident space object – 7/19/2010
Tracked a NOAA weather satellite 7/19/2010 for several minutes (externally queued)
First autonomous acquisition sensor to track sensor handover of a target – 7/23/2010
Hand-off demonstration occurred when STSS acquired a ground laser source operated by U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory from the Starfire Optical Range at Kirtland Air Force Base, NM
August 2010
First track of an aircraft
Precision track sensor operation below the horizon during daylight – 8/5/2010
First autonomous acquisition sensor to track sensor handover of an aircraft
September 2010
Airborne Laser Test Bed Exercise – 9/1/2010
First autonomous acquisition sensor to track sensor handover of a boosted target
ICBM Minuteman III test launch – 9/17/2010
First post boost track continuation of a target with track sensor
First demonstration of track sensor generating multiple tracks for separating objects
October 2010
Aegis Launch on Remote Campaign
First Track sensor stereo track of a dim boosted target
First stereo post boost tracking of midcourse target
March 2011
Second Aegis Readiness Assessment Vehicle Targeting – 3/9/2011
STSS satellites acquired and tracked its target until re-entry
Second full-course tracking during U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Aegis launch - 3/15/11
Successful production of "stereo" 3-D tracking software to follow the target missile's flight path to predict its impact point
April 2011
Sea-based missile defense test - 4/15/11
STSS satellites targeted and help to intercept a intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) and destroyed the IRBM on impact
July 2011
STSS test on short-range, air-launched target (SRALT)- 7/8/11
This test proved the STSS's ability to track dim objects that have extremely short flight timelines
See also
- Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense SystemAegis Ballistic Missile Defense SystemThe Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System is a United States Department of Defense Missile Defense Agency program developed to provide defense against ballistic missiles. It is part of the United States national missile defense strategy...
- Defense Support ProgramDefense Support ProgramThe Defense Support Program is a program of the U.S. Air Force that operates the reconnaissance satellites which form the principal component of the Satellite Early Warning System currently used by the United States....
- Ground-Based Midcourse DefenseGround-Based Midcourse DefenseGround-Based Midcourse Defense is the United States system for intercepting incoming warheads in space. Currently, it is a major component of the U.S. national missile defense strategy aimed against ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles...
- USA 205USA 205USA-205, also known as Space Tracking and Surveillance System Advanced Technology Risk Reduction , and previously as Block 2010 Spacecraft Risk Reduction is a satellite operated by the United States Missile Defense Agency. It was launched to demonstrate new technology for missile detection early...