Northrop Grumman-Built STSS Demonstrators Prove They Can Track Ballistic Missiles From 'Birth-to-Death'

Two recent Ballistic Missile Defense System-wide (BMDS) tests involving the Northrop Grumman Corporation-built Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstration satellites showed that the satellite system can successfully perform the ultimate mission for space-based missile defense sensors – full-course, or 'birth-to-death' tracking of a ballistic missile.

"This is the first time a space-based sensor has tracked a ballistic missile through all phases of its flight, from launch, through midcourse and re-entry," said Doug Young, vice president, missile defense and warning for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector in Redondo Beach, Calif. "This birth-to-death tracking ability optimizes interceptor selection and enables the interceptor to compensate for maneuvering midcourse objects."

Young said the success came in two stages. Each time, the test target was an Aegis Readiness Assessment Vehicle. On March 9, one of the STSS satellites acquired and tracked its target until re-entry during a test designed to validate Aegis system software upgrades. The timing of the launch was coordinated between Aegis and STSS to assure visibility of the launch.

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