USA-315

USA-315
Offloading of SBIRS-GEO 5 Satellite
NamesUSA-315
SBIRS GEO-5
Mission typeEarly Warning
IRINT
OperatorUnited States Space Force
COSPAR ID2021-042A
SATCAT no.48618
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Launch mass4,500 kg (9,900 lb)[1]
Power2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
Start of mission
Launch date18 May 2021
RocketAtlas V 421 (AV-091)
Launch siteCape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
ContractorUnited Launch Alliance
Orbital parameters
RegimeGeostationary[2]

USA-315, also known as SBIRS GEO-5, is a military satellite developed as a part of the Space-Based Infrared System.[3][4][2] The satellite aims to increase the capabilities of the United States Department of Defense in terms of missile defense and military intelligence.

Overview

As a part of the SBIRS program, the successor of Defense Support Program (DSP), new satellites with better features were planned to be launched and used by United States Air Force and Space Force. USA-315, like other satellites in SBIRS program, is used for early warning.

The initial work contract for SBIRS GEO-5 and SBIRS GEO-6 was awarded to Lockheed Martin in October 2012. After two years, Lockheed Martin was awarded again in 2014, but this time with a manufacturing contract.[4]

SBIRS GEO-5 is built on an LM 2100 Combat Bus and the development phase took more than five years.[5]

On 18 May 2021, SBIRS GEO-5 (USA-315) was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.[6]

The satellite was accepted by the U.S. Space Force and showed %40 improvement in average testing times.[6]

References

  1. ^ Krebs, Gunter D. (2023), SBIRS-GEO 5, 6, Gunter Space Page, retrieved January 15, 2024
  2. ^ a b Ford, Dominic. "SBIRS GEO-5". In-The-Sky.org. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  3. ^ "NASA - NSSDCA - Spacecraft - Details". nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  4. ^ a b "SBIRS-GEO 5, 6". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  5. ^ "Lockheed Martin's First Modernized SBIRS Missile Warning Satellite Now Under U.S. Space Force Control". Media - Lockheed Martin. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  6. ^ a b "SBIRS GEO-5 Operationally Accepted". Lockheed Martin. 2022-02-07. Retrieved 2023-01-14.