SBIRS Atlas V Has Successful Launch

Recently on May 7, at 2:10 p.m. EDT “United Launch Alliance Atlas V” or commonly called as “Atlas V” was launched from Cape Canaveral, Space Launch Complex-41. Atlas V is equipped with Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellite. The launch was delayed for some time following unfavorable weather. US army considers SBIRS of prime importance and a successful launch promises a variety of things for defense sector of country.

The engine used in Atlas V is RD AMROSS RD-180 while its upper stage is powered by Rocketdyne RL-10A engine from Pratt and Whitney. The rocket is equipped with a payload firing of 4m diameter. SBIRS is designed to look into various issues related to early missile warning system and satellite detection. SBIRS deals in four important military aspects like Technical Intelligence, Battle Space Awareness, Missile Warning, and Missile Defense. All four are considered as pillars of an eminent military and were dealt with successfully since cold war era by such Missile defense alarm system also abbreviated as MIDAS.

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Now let us compare SBIRS GEO with DSP and try to configure the importance of GEOs.

Salient features of SBIRS are as follows:

1. Sensor used in a DSP satellite has a longer revisit time than Scanning sensor used in GEO for a full field view.

2. Space-Based Infrared System is designed to be a stabilized sensor. It will be equipped with a staring sensor along with scanning one.

3. GEO is highly sensitive and can rapidly stare and focus from location to location.

4. SBIRS will eliminates the need of heavy-lift launch system the reason being, its launch in geosynchronous transfer orbit.

In this way GEOs seem to be superior to DSPs. SBRIS can be considered to be a hybrid offering many things under one roof. It boasts to have a mix of payloads in HEO, geosynchronous earth orbit satellites and the required hardware and software too. The history is full of successful and unsuccessful launches.  Michael Gass, ULA President and CEO is satisfied with its successful launch. He speaking to his employees he said that this success was the proof of their hard work. He praised them for their dedication while ULA Vice president Jim Sponnick considers it as an important event for US and its people. He was proud to serve in this very good mission.

Twelve MIDAS satellites were launched and the currently launched GEO 1 marks the beginning of a new era and end of MIDAS. The history of these spy satellites starts with first launch of MIDAS on Feb 26, 1960 but this mission failed because its first stage could not separate from rocket. The second attempt with MIDAS 2 was however successful. It was launched on May 24, 1960. The SBIRS GEO satellites will soon begin to replace DSP satellites. SBIRS satellites are being manufactured by Lockheed martin and its instruments are provided by Northrop Grumman.

With advancing technology, the feasibility of such spy satellites becomes easy and possible. They help the country check the movements of enemy and thus helps in protection of its political borders.

See the launch video here:



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