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Space Tracking and Surveillance System

STSS DEMO-1 / STSS DEMO-2
NamesSBIR-Low
STSS-1
STSS-2
USA-208
USA-209
Mission typeTracking and Surveillance
OperatorU.S. Missile Defense Agency
COSPAR ID2009-052A / 2009-052B [1][2]
SATCAT no.35937 / 35938
Mission durationPlanned: 2 years
Final: 12 years, 2 months
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSTSS
Spacecraft typeSTSS demonstrator satellite
ManufacturerNorthrop Grumman Space Technology
Start of mission
Launch date25 September 2009,
12:20:00 UTC
RocketDelta II 7920-10C
(Delta D344)
Launch siteCape Canaveral, LC-17B
ContractorUnited Launch Alliance
Entered serviceLate January 2010
End of mission
Deactivated8 March 2022
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[3]
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Altitude1,350 km (840 mi)
Inclination58.0°
Period120.0 minutes

The Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS; formerly SBIRS-Low) was a pair of satellites developed by the United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to research the space-based detection and tracking of ballistic missiles. Data from STSS satellites could allow interceptors to engage incoming missiles earlier in flight than would be possible with other missile detection systems.[4] The STSS program began in 2001, when the "SBIRS Low" program was transferred to MDA from the United States Air Force.[5] In December 2002, SBIRS Low Research & Development (SBIRS Low R&D) was renamed Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS).[6]

  1. ^ "Display: STSS Demo-1 2009-052A". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ "Display: STSS Demo-2 2009-052B". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference MDA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "MDA Link - Sensors". MDA. Archived from the original on 23 March 2008. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ "Fact Sheet on Space Based Infrared System". Center for Defense Information. 2007. Archived from the original on 13 November 2007.
  6. ^ "Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS)". Global Security. Retrieved 25 December 2020.

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