If the first in a new line of infrared-sensing missile warning satellites makes it to orbit in May as planned, the event could mark a turning point in the program’s 15-year history of engineering mistakes, delays and congressional reviews.
The saga of the Space Based Infrared System, or SBIRS, already has forced the Air Force to overhaul its system engineering approach for satellites and hire a contractor to start work on a backup plan.
Now, the Air Force must show that it can deliver the first SBIRS geosynchronous satellite to orbit 22,000 miles above Earth, and that the satellite can do its job of spotting the heat of missile launches to help target anti-missile rockets.
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