got geoint?

On June 21st, the Lockheed Martin-built Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous (GEO-1) spacecraft reached a major milestone by beaming down its first infrared image to the SBIRS ground station. Launched on May 7th, the SBIRS GEO-1 Satellite is meeting performance testing requirements and is the most technologically advanced military infrared satellite ever developed. With the goal of enhancing the military’s ability to detect missile launches around the globe, the SBIRS GEO-1 will support the nation’s ballistic missile defense system. It will also expand technical intelligence gathering abilities and enhance situational awareness for warfighters on the battlefield.

Here’s some more information about SBIRS GEO-1 from Defense Talk:

The satellite includes highly sophisticated scanning and staring sensors that deliver improved infrared sensitivity and a reduction in area revisit times over the current constellation. The scanning sensor will provide a wide area surveillance of missile launches and natural phenomena across the earth, while the staring sensor will be used to observe smaller areas of interest with superior sensitivity.

“We are tremendously proud of Team SBIRS for their superb efforts to initialize the Air Force’s newest, most capable infrared payload,” said Col. Mike Noble, Deputy Director of the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center’s Infrared Space Systems Directorate. “This is another important milestone for the SBIRS’ Air Force and industry team. Successful payload activation is a major step toward fielding the all-new GEO capabilities for the nation and joint warfighters.”

Congratulations to the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin for bringing the SBIRS GEO-1 to life.

Tags: Air Force and Satellites, GEOINT, GEOINT 2011, got geoint?, Lockheed Martin, Lockheed Martin and SBIRS GEO-1, SBIRS GEO-1, SBIRS GEO-1 Satellite, SBIRS GEO-1 Spacecraft, USGIF