The first "pathfinder" satellite of the SBSS system (SBSS 1, aka USA 216, COSPAR 2010-048A, SATCAT 37168) was successfully placed into orbit on board a
Minotaur IV rocket on 26 September 2010 (UTC).[3][4] Originally, the launch was scheduled for December 2008 but was rescheduled for Spring of 2009,[5] and again delayed until 22 October 2009. The launch delays were caused by problems with the booster, and not the satellite itself.[6] A launch expected for 8 July 2010 [7] was also postponed.[8] The program cost US$823 million, including satellite, payload, launch, and ground support. [citation needed]The satellite and payload contracts to
Ball Aerospace & Technologies are approximately 40% of the total. It is designed to examine every spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit at least once a day.[6]
The SBSS pathfinder satellite has a 30 cm telescope on a two axis gimbal with a 2.4 megapixel image sensor and has a projected mission duration of five and a half years.[9]
Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program
The first two GSSAP spacecraft were launched in 2014, and a further two was launched on 19 August 2016 (USA-270 and USA-271). The first two were built by
Orbital Sciences Corporation; their capabilities and development and construction budgets are classified. They operate in "near-geosynchronous orbit",[10][11] The first launch was scheduled for 23 July 2014 aboard a
United Launch AllianceDelta IVlaunch vehicle.[12]
Even during the testing process these satellites were pressed into early service to fulfill critical needs.[13]
On 12 September 2017, the third and fourth satellites were declared operational.[14]
Two more satellites (GSSAP-5 and GSSAP-6) have been successfully launched on 21 January 2022 by a
Atlas Vlaunch vehicle.[15] USA-270 approached two Chinese satellites in GEO to examine them more closely.[16] In 2023, Chinese researchers reported having observed 13 other instances where US satellites approached Chinese ones.[17]
In August 2023 the
Space Systems Command announced the retirement of the GSSAP-2 satellite, the first of the constellation to be decommissioned, and its subsequent transfer into a graveyard orbit. Moreover, it revealed that two more satellites have been ordered to
Northrop Grumman to keep up with the demand for GSSAP assets.[18] The launches of the new satellites are planned for 2024 and 2027 respectively, with the spacecraft being the first of the constellation not to be launched in pairs.[19]