STSS demo satellites ready for missile defense testing
Spaceflight Now
By Stephen Clark
February 7, 2011
The Missile Defense Agency says it is merging its $1.7 billion STSS tracking satellite mission with ground- and sea-based interceptor tests, a campaign officials hope will enable the military to launch kill vehicles against missiles before they fly in range of conventional radars.
If proven, the ability to detect and track missiles from space will give commanders another tool to go along with sensors based on land, at sea and in the air. The addition of a space-based detection network, which STSS is designed to demonstrate, could give strategic, regional and theater defense systems more warning of an enemy missile and permit the launch of interceptors against the threat earlier than ever before.
Existing radars and tracking systems, including the mobile sea-based X-band radar platform, can only see missiles and warheads in a limited area, usually in the launch or re-entry phases of flight. STSS is supposed to show officials if satellites can provide a global perspective on missile flights.
“STSS brings unique capabilities to missile defense,” said Doug Young, vice president of missile defense and warning programs at Northrop Grumman Corp., which built the satellites. “It’s the only system capable of tracking ballistic missiles through all phases of flight, starting with boost extending through midcourse and terminal phases.”
Not only can STSS track missiles, it can map a missile’s trajectory and pass the data to sea- or land-based interceptors to destroy the threat. …
