Scott Nicholas
The U.S. Air Force will launch a Lockheed Martin-built multi-mission satellite aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in California on Thursday, Jan. 18.
ULA said in a report the Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit Flight-4 satellite was built to offer missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness and technical intelligence that can help the military meet current national security demands.
The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center’s Remote Sensing Systems Directorate leads the SBIRS team which also includes the Air Force Space Command, prime contractor Lockheed Martin and payload integrator Northrop Grumman.
Lockheed encapsulated the satellite in a protective launch fairing ahead of its scheduled lift off, the company said Thursday.
SBIRS GEO-4 will join the constellation of satellites that provides services to the U.S. military including GEO-1, GEO-2 and GEO-3.
The Air Force also authorized Lockheed to manufacture and integrate the future GEO-5 and GEO-6 satellites.
