Space Systems Command announces 21 mission assignments for National Security Space Launch Phase 2 Procurement Oct. 31, 2023[...]The 11 missions assigned to United Launch Alliance (ULA) are: GPS III-9, NROL-73, NROL-56, STP-5, SILENTBARKER 2/NROL-118, USSF-57, NROL-100, USSF-95, NROL-109, SDA T2TL-B, and USSF-25.[...]USSF-57 will launch the first of three Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared GEO (NGG) satellites. These satellites will deliver survivable, resilient missile warning, tracking, and defense in a highly contested and congested space domain. [...]
Space Systems Command announces major milestone in Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Missile Warning Program30 Aug 2024Space Systems Command (SSC) announced the successful delivery of the first mission payload for Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) sensing in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (NGG) on Aug. 30, 2024, in partnership with Lockheed Martin Space and Raytheon Technologies Corporation. The payload, known as NGG-1, was transported from Raytheon’s Mission Payload Facility in El Segundo, Ca. to Lockheed Martin’s Space Vehicle Integration Facility in Sunnyvale, Ca. following successful completion of thermal vacuum chamber testing from Apr. 26 to Aug. 12, 2024. At Lockheed, the payload will be integrated with the satellite bus and will continue to undergo rigorous system testing conditions like those it will experience in space to further ensure the satellite can operate in extreme vacuum and temperature conditions. Once in orbit, NGG-1 will provide enhanced sensing capabilities to detect advanced missile threats, including hypersonic weapon systems. NGG-1 remains on schedule for its projected December 2025 initial launch capability. [...]
Lockheed Martin fully assembled, powered-on and advanced the U.S. Space Force’s first Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) Block 0 satellite to system level testing at its satellite manufacturing facility in Sunnyvale, California.This Next-Gen OPIR satellite is one of two satellites that will serve as the GEO component of the Space Force’s planned multi-orbit, multi-layer missile warning and tracking architecture to protect our nation and allies against increasing ballistic missile, hypersonic and other emerging threats.Why it MattersNext-Gen OPIR is a pacesetting capability that will deliver survivable, missile warning, tracking and defense in a highly contested and congested space domain. From a high GEO orbit vantage point – approximately 22,000 miles above the Earth’s surface – Next-Gen OPIR GEO will provide enhanced sensing capabilities and global coverage to detect ballistic missile, hypersonic and other emerging threats. Its advanced missile warning capability will work in tandem with Space Systems Command’s Medium Earth Orbit Track Custody prototypes and the Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer satellites in Low Earth Orbit to deter and defeat these threats.“With its persistent, around the clock, watchman-like surveillance, Next-Gen OPIR GEO will add strength, reliability and resiliency to the Space Force’s future missile warning, tracking and defense architecture,” said Mike Corriea, Lockheed Martin Space’s vice president for Missile Warning programs.Advancing Towards LaunchThis most recent successful milestone in the satellite’s production and testing is a testament to engineering design and rigor. The space vehicle combines two major satellite components for this mission – Lockheed Martin’s LM 2100 bus with enhanced resiliency capabilities and a Raytheon-built advanced missile warning sensor payload. This means the new satellite and its mission payload has the green light for further system level testing, which includes a focus on environmental testing, as it moves toward a 2025 launch.