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Details

The Defense Support Program (DSP) is a system of satellites that detect and track ballistic missile launches, space launches, and nuclear detonations worldwide. It uses infrared detectors that are capable of sensing heat from missile plumes against the cooler background of the earth. Since 1970, the DSP has been a critical component of the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s (NORAD) Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment System.

 

At present, five DSP satellites are operational. Three provide primary service: DSP F-6R, launched in 1984; DSP F-5R, launched in 1987; and DSP-I F-14, launched in 1989. An additional two serve as backups: DSP F-15, launched in 1982; and DSP F-12, launched in 1984. These five satellites transfer warning data via communications links to NORAD and U.S. Space Command early warning centers within the Cheyenne Mountain Complex outside Colorado Springs, Colorado. From there, the information is forwarded to various areas of operations around the world. At present, the DSP satellites are commanded and controlled by the Air Force Space Command 50th Space Wing’s 1st Space Operations Squadron.

 

The Pentagon plans to eventually replace the DSP with a new satellite system known as the Space-Based Infrared System-High (SBIRS-High) that is better suited for U.S. missile defense. The new system would consist of five satellites in geosynchronous earth orbit, two sensors on host satellites in highly elliptical orbit, and associated fixed and mobile ground stations. SBIRS-High will provide missile warning information and to support the missile defense, technical intelligence, and battle space characterization missions.(1)

 

Footnotes

 

1. General Accounting Office, “Assessments of Selected Major Weapon Programs,” 31 March 2005; GlobalSecurity.org, “Defense Support Program,” available at http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/dsp.htm, accessed on 26 July 2005; “Northrop Grumman Ships 23rd DSP Satellite to Cape Canaveral Air Station for Launch Preparation,” PrimeZone Media Network, 10 May 2005.

Lockheed Martin Completes SBIRS Software Component

July 19, 2006 :: UPI :: News

Lockheed Martin announced Tuesday, July 18, that it has completed an important software component for the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS), which is currently under development. SBIRS will be a high-orbiting constellation of satellites designed to detect and track ballistic missiles all over the globe. It will replace the current Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites, which have provided early missile warning information for more than 30 years. The software developed by Lockheed Martin for SBIRS will be integrated with the system’s Pointing and Control Assembly, which operates each satellite’s highly-sensitive “staring” and “scanning” sensors. The scanning sensors are designed to detect missile launches, whereas the staring sensors are intended to lock on to the missiles themselves and transmit detailed data to other elements of the U.S. missile defense shield. The current DSP satellites, which only have scanning sensors, currently take 40-50 seconds to detect a missile launch and determine its course; SBIRS is expected to take only 10-20 seconds to accomplish this task and inform ground elements.
        Lockheed Martin has delivered the new software to Northrop Grumman in California, where it will be integrated with another system component that extracts the missile’s infrared signal from background noise and chatter. The completed payload is expected to be delivered to Lockheed Martin in mid-2007 for spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing in preparation for launch in late 2008.  (Article, Link) 

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» Missile system details for: Defense Support Program (DSP), Space-Based Infrared System-High (SBIRS-High)

U.S. Missile Warning Satellite Launched

February 14, 2004 :: Space.com :: News

The Cold War may be over, but the threat from ballistic missiles is not, as Russia’s nuclear war exercise should assure any doubts to the contrary. Today a Titan 4 placed an American missile launch warning satellite into orbit.
        The 5,000 pound Defense Support Program (DSP) Satellite is part of an older network which uses infrared sensors to track heat and light such as that generated from a missile’s plume as it takes flight. Plans have long been in place, however, to replace these with a newer and more advanced network of satellites called the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS). Nevertheless, “These satellites will remain the backbone for the nation’s missile warning system,” said Col. Robert Reese of the Space & Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base. One other DSP satellite is also reportedly scheduled to be launched in March, by a Delta 4 rocket.
        As Chief of DSP operations at Peterson Air Force Base, Major Francis Diorin commented, “The threat is still there.” “The Soviets still have ICBMs on alert,” he noted. Indeed, this week’s extensive tests by Russia confirm that the former Soviet Union means to not only keep, but improve and increase both their offensive strategic ballistic missiles and their own missile defense system. The United States has a moral duty to its citizenry to defend against these threats.
        The DSP satellite is No. 22 of 23 in the constellation. (Article, Link) 

» Lockheed press release from launch

» Video of Titan launch

» More stories on: Space-Based Systems, Detection and Tracking

» Missile system details for: Defense Support Program (DSP)