SUNNYVALE, Calif., 11 June 2009. The Lockheed Martin-led team developing the U.S. Air Force's Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) has mated the spacecraft bus with the infrared sensor payload for the second geosynchronous SBIRS spacecraft (GEO-2), reveals a representative. The payload installation closely followed completion of spacecraft bus integration and safe-to-mate tests that included the first power-on of the spacecraft.

SBIRS will provide early warning of ballistic missile launches and support other missions simultaneously, including missile defense, technical intelligence, and battlespace awareness.

The GEO-2 bus includes an integrated propulsion system and other critical subsystems for communications, attitude control, thermal control, command, and data handling. The GEO-2 payload sports a scanning sensor that will provide for short revisit times over its full field of view, and a staring sensor that can be tasked for dedicated stare operations over smaller areas.

Lt Col Heath Collins, the Air Force SBIRS Space Squadron Commander, says: "This focus on continuous process improvement and disciplined execution will ensure that the joint contractor-U.S. Air Force team delivers superior persistent infrared sensing capabilities for the United States and our allies."

The GEO-2 payload and bus integration enables the SBIRS team to begin system-level environmental and acceptance testing in preparation for launch in 2011.

The SBIRS team is led by the Space Based Infrared Systems Wing at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base in Calif. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the SBIRS prime contractor, with Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., as the payload integrator. Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.