World Frontier Technology Development Report 2023 "World Space Technology Development Report" (2) Satellite Technology

Data comes from: "World Frontier Technology Development Report 2023" and the Internet

1 Overview

In 2022, global satellite development and deployment will maintain rapid development. Major space countries and regions continue to promote the construction and development of space-based information acquisition, space-based information transmission, space-based navigation and positioning, and space-based early warning capabilities. In terms of communication satellites, the United States, Russia, Europe and other countries and regions are promoting the development and testing of low-orbit communication satellite technology while deploying new communication satellites. In terms of reconnaissance and remote sensing satellites, the United States, Russia, Germany, India and others are actively deploying new reconnaissance satellites to further enhance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. In terms of navigation satellites, the United States, Russia, and Europe continue to promote the deployment, update and upgrade of global navigation satellite constellations, and carry out technical research on low-orbit satellite navigation. In terms of early warning satellites, the United States and Russia continue to improve the existing space-based early warning system and develop detection capabilities for hypersonic threats.

2. Communication satellites

In 2022, major spaceflight countries and regions will continue to replenish their networks and launch communication constellation satellites, focusing on promoting satellite optical inter-satellite link technology verification and on-orbit deployment. The United States is advancing the development and deployment of the National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA) as planned, accelerating the development and transformation of space capabilities, and helping to achieve future joint all-domain operations. Russia has upgraded its military communications satellites and continued to expand the scope of its communications network. Europe has deployed multiple high-frequency communication satellites to lay the foundation for the construction of high-capacity, high-speed, and high-bandwidth communication networks.

2.1 The U.S. Space Development Agency promotes the “Defense Space Architecture” and continues to deploy “transport layer” satellites

In January 2022, the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) issued a request for information on the first phase of the ground operations and integration segment of the "Defense Space Architecture." Core capabilities for this consultation include overall management, network management, mission management, payload data management and constellation monitoring across the ground, link, space and user segments of the architecture. The Phase 1 Ground Operations and Integration work scope includes developing, equipping, managing and operating an advanced operations center, operating ground entry points, and conducting ground and space segment integration. The "Transport Layer" satellite constellation in the defense space architecture is the Space Development Agency's first major project to use smaller, lower-cost satellites to carry out critical military operations. It aims to use optical inter-satellite links through commercial space development This way reduces the data transmission delay between the sensor and the shooter.

In March 2022, the US Space Development Agency awarded three companies, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and York, contracts with a total value of approximately US$1.8 billion to produce the Tranche 1 constellation. and delivered a total of 126 satellites. In October 2022, the US Space Development Agency announced the list of the 0th batch of optical communication terminal suppliers, which will be the "transmission layer" and "tracking layer" of Phase 0 (Tranche 0) from Mynaric of Germany, SA Photonics of the United States, Skyloom of the United States, and Tesat of France. (Tracking Layer) Satellites provide optical communication services. In December 2022, Terran Orbital will deliver the last 10 Phase 0 "Transport Layer" satellite platforms in the "Defense Space Architecture" to general contractor Lockheed Martin, followed by Phase 1 " Transport layer” satellite designs and manufactures satellite platforms. The U.S. Space Development Agency plans to launch 144 phase 1 "transport layer" satellites by September 2024 to form a mesh network and achieve initial operational capabilities.

The "transport layer" constellation will provide the United States with high-resilience, low-latency, and large-capacity data transmission communications, providing key capabilities for future joint all-domain command and control. At the same time, the defense space architecture will provide the United States with multiple capabilities such as beyond visual range tracking, visual targeting, and communications, which will greatly expand the United States’ combat options and allow more allies to bring their own capabilities into the network.

2.2 The U.S. military successfully demonstrated inter-satellite laser communications in low-Earth orbit

In May 2022, the US Space Development Agency and DARPA used the "Mandela"-2 commercial satellite platform to successfully establish an optical link and successfully carried out a communication rate of more than 200 gigabits per second in a low Earth orbit 100 kilometers apart. Inter-satellite laser communication test. This demonstration verified the feasibility of establishing a mesh network using commercially available satellite buses and laser terminals, and will lay the foundation for the U.S. military's next-generation "Defense Space Architecture" to achieve inter-satellite communications.

2.3 DARPA launches the "Space-based Adaptive Communication Node" project to provide support for enhancing on-orbit interoperability of space communications

In August 2022, DARPA launched the Space-Based Adaptive Communication Note (Space-BACN) project, which aims to create a low-cost, reconfigurable optical communication terminal to adapt to most inter-satellite optical links Standards for data conversion between different satellite constellations. DARPA hopes that Space-BACN will create a distributed interconnection network of low-Earth orbit satellites that will enable seamless communications among military, government, commercial and private sector satellite constellations that currently cannot connect to each other.

Currently, DARPA has selected 11 research teams from academia and companies of different sizes for the first phase of Space-BACN to conduct research on three independent technologies. Specific technologies include: low-cost optical apertures, reconfigurable modems and cross-platform Constellation optical satellite inter-satellite link communication command and control mode. At the end of the first phase, DARPA will conduct a preliminary design review of the first two technologies and will demonstrate the third cross-constellation optical satellite inter-satellite link communication command mode technology in a simulation environment against a baseline scenario.

2.4 The U.S. company SpaceX successfully launched Boeing’s V-band communications satellite

In September 2022, the US company SpaceX successfully deployed Boeing's V-band communications satellite into orbit in a ride-sharing launch mission. The satellite, manufactured by American Star Digital, will verify V-band communication anti-interference technology in orbit. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission officially approved Boeing's construction of a V-band communications constellation consisting of 147 satellites in November 2021. Compared with Ka and Ku bands, V-band has higher frequency and larger bandwidth, which can improve connection speed and communication throughput.

2.5 Intelsat successfully deployed two C-band satellites

In October 2022, the American SpaceX company used the Falcon-9 launch vehicle to launch the Galaxy-33 (Galaxy-33) and Galaxy-34 (Galaxy-34) satellites for the American Intelsat Corporation. (Intelsat) successfully deployed two C-band satellites. The two satellites were successfully placed into geostationary transfer orbit to replace the Galaxy-12 and Galaxy-15 satellites launched in 2003 and 2005. At the same time, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has allocated 300MHz in the C-band of satellite communications to the 5G network. If Intelsat can transfer the original users of this frequency band to these two new satellites before December 2023, it will gain US$4.87 billion in compensation for accelerated cleanup of C-band spectrum.

2.6 The American SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket successfully launched the Eutelsat 10B communications satellite into orbit

In November 2022, the US company SpaceX successfully launched the Eutelsat 10B communications satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida using a Falcon 9 rocket. The satellite carries two multi-beam high-throughput Ku-band payloads, providing approximately 35 gigabits per second speed throughput, and will provide aviation and maritime customers in high-traffic areas of Europe, the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East, Africa, the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. Communication service. In addition, the satellite carries 2 wide-beam C-band and Ku-band payloads to replace the Eutelsat 10A television broadcast satellite.

2.7 Russia successfully launched the "Meridian"-M communications satellite

In March 2022, the Russian Ministry of Defense successfully launched the Meridian-M communications satellite using the Soyuz 2.1a launch vehicle. The "Meridian"-M satellite is Russia's new generation of Molniya orbit military communications satellite, used to replace the "Molniya" satellite. The "Meridian" series of satellites provide communication services for ships and reconnaissance aircraft in the Northern Sea Route area through coastal and ground stations, and can also be used to expand the communication capabilities of ground stations in the Far East and Siberia.

2.8 Eurosat successfully deployed the SES-22 satellite

In June 2022, the American company SpaceX successfully launched the European Satellite Company (SES) SES-22 satellite using the Falcon-9 launch vehicle. The satellite was developed by Thales Alenia Space. It has a launch mass of about 3,500 kilograms and a design life of 15 years. It can provide television, radio and other critical data transmission services to American families. The SES-22 satellite can transition Eutelsat's existing C-band to a higher frequency band, help the U.S. Federal Communications Commission complete the C-band spectrum auction plan, and promote the construction of the U.S. 5G network. In the future, Eusat will receive C-band migration compensation from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.

2.9 French satellite company Eutelsat’s “Quantum” communications satellite begins to provide commercial services

In August 2022, France's Eutelsat's Quantum communications satellite was put into commercial use as the first commercial satellite that can be completely reprogrammed in space. Eutelsat has sold six of its eight satellite beams to organizations including governments and other users to provide data and mobile communications services. The satellite's beams can change shape and direction to provide network services to moving planes, trucks and cars in near real-time.

2.10 French company Eutelsat successfully launched a high-power broadband communication satellite

In September 2022, the French company Eutelsat successfully launched the Very High Throughput Satellite (Eutelsat KonnectVHTS) high-power broadband communication satellite, which will provide high-speed broadband and mobile network connection services in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

As a Ka-band ultra-high-throughput satellite, the satellite is designed and manufactured based on Thales Alenia Space's all-electric platform Spacebus Neo, and has been approved by the French Space Agency (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, CNES) and the European Strong support from the space agency. The very high throughput satellite is about 9 meters tall, has a wingspan of more than 45 meters, weighs more than 7 tons, has a design life of more than 15 years, and has a communication capacity of 500 gigabits per second. It is the largest geostationary communication satellite in Europe in terms of volume and capacity to date. At the same time, the satellite is equipped with the most powerful on-orbit digital processor ever, enabling flexible capacity allocation and optimal spectrum use. It is expected that the satellite will begin providing commercial services in the second half of 2023.

2.11 Egypt deploys Nilesat-301 communication satellite

In June 2022, the American company SpaceX successfully launched the Egyptian NileSat-301 communication satellite. The satellite has a launch mass of 4,100 kg and an on-orbit mass of about 3,900 kg. It is equipped with 32 Ku-band transponders and 6 Ka-band transponders and can provide services to northern Africa and the Middle East. The Nilesat-301 satellite was developed by the French Thales Alenia Space Company. It is a civilian communications and broadcasting satellite operated by the Egyptian Nile Satellite Company (Nilesat). It is mainly used for digital communications and direct-to-home television broadcasts, radio broadcasts and multimedia. business.

3. Reconnaissance, surveillance and remote sensing satellites

In 2022, major spaceflight countries will continue to steadily develop advanced reconnaissance and remote sensing satellites, and the scale and capabilities of multi-satellite networks will continue to expand. The United States has launched multiple satellites to continue to expand the scope of space observation and strive to enhance space situational awareness capabilities; Russia has strengthened the high-resolution and positioning capabilities of its existing space-based reconnaissance and surveillance systems; Germany, India and Iran have deployed high-precision reconnaissance satellites.

3.1 The United States launches the "Geosynchronous Orbit Space Situation Awareness Project" satellite

In January 2022, the United States successfully launched the fifth and sixth satellites of the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) from the Cape Canaveral Space Center using the Atlas 5 rocket. satellite. The launch mission, codenamed "United States Space Force Mission-8, USSF-8", aims to put two GSSAP satellites into geosynchronous orbit.

The GSSAP satellite is an operational high-orbit patrol satellite developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Space Force. GSSAP satellites use relative drift with the geosynchronous orbit to perform orbital maneuvers to detect, catalog and accurately reconnaissance targets in space. In addition, the GSSAP satellite, as a mobile platform in geosynchronous orbit, may also have space offensive capabilities.

3.2 The U.S. National Reconnaissance Office launches the “Keyhole” reconnaissance satellite

In September 2022, the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) launched the 19th "Keyhole"-11 satellite using the "Delta IV Heavy (D4H)" launch vehicle. The satellite is deployed in an orbit with an altitude of about 400 kilometers and an inclination of about 74 degrees. The "Keyhole" series of low-Earth orbit satellites, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, are the highest-resolution electro-optical reconnaissance satellites currently in service in the United States, with full-color resolution better than 0.1 meters and infrared resolution up to 0.5 meters. They are designed to conduct Earth observation mission. The "Keyhole" KH-11 satellite uses a charge-coupled camera to capture images of ground objects and scenes, which can transmit the captured photos back to the ground in real time, providing key information support for the US military's strategic decision-making.

3.3 Russia launches Neutron-1 optical reconnaissance satellite

In February 2022, Russia used the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle to successfully launch a classified military satellite numbered "Kosmos 2553", which was deployed in an orbit of 1987 kilometers × 1995 kilometers with an inclination of 67.08 degrees. The satellite, codenamed "Neitron"-1, is a military optical reconnaissance satellite designed by NPO Mashinostroyeniya. It is mainly used for optical reconnaissance of earth targets and in-orbit detection. Satellites perform precise imaging.

3.4 Russia’s “Shaoyao”-NKS ocean surveillance satellite passed the national test and began to perform combat duty missions

In October 2022, Russia’s Pion-NKS ocean surveillance satellite passed the national test and began to perform combat duty missions. The "Shaoyao"-NKS satellite weighs 6.5 tons alone, is equipped with two sets of large radar antennas and solar panels, and has an on-orbit service life of at least 4 years. As a maritime reconnaissance and surveillance satellite, the main mission of this satellite is to conduct reconnaissance and positioning of U.S. aircraft carrier formations and other ships, and to provide target guidance for long-range anti-ship missile attacks.

3.5 Germany deploys "Sara"-1 military radar reconnaissance satellite

In June 2022, Germany used the Falcon-9 launch vehicle to successfully launch the SARah-1 military radar reconnaissance satellite to start a 10-year all-weather observation and image collection mission. The "Sara"-1 satellite is manufactured by the European Airbus Company and is the first of three synthetic aperture radar imaging satellites ordered by Germany in 2013. The satellite uses an active phased array radar antenna, which has the advantages of fast pointing speed and flexible antenna beam forming, and can quickly provide image data.

3.6 India successfully launched the "Radar Imaging Satellite"-1A

In February 2022, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched the "Radar Imaging Satellite" using the "Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL.C52 (PSLV-XL.C52)" "-1A (Radar Imaging Satellite 1A, RISAT-1A). The satellite, also known as EOS-04, is the second satellite in India’s first domestic civilian synthetic aperture radar imaging satellite (Radar Imaging Satellite 1, RISAT-1) series. It has a launch mass of 1,710 kilograms and an orbital altitude of 529 kilometers. It is sun-synchronous Track, design life is 10 years. At the same time, the RISAT-1A satellite uses a C-band synthetic aperture radar system with a center frequency of 5.35 GHz and a maximum resolution of 1 meter. It can acquire high-resolution images all day long to support agriculture, forestry, planting, soil moisture, hydrographic measurements and floods. Monitoring and other applications, and can be used for military reconnaissance and surveillance.

3.7 India successfully launched ocean monitoring satellite

In November 2022, the Indian Space Research Organization successfully launched the Polar Satellite-XL C54 launch vehicle (PolarSatellite Launch Vehicle-XL.C54, PSLV-XL.C54), combining the Oceansat 3 satellite and 8 Nanosatellites are launched into space. The OceanSat-3 satellite, also known as EOS-06, is the third generation of the Indian Ocean Satellite series and is used to provide ocean monitoring services. The satellite's main role is to monitor the color of the ocean surface and collect data on wind speed and direction over the sea.

3.8 Iran launches second military satellite

In March 2022, Iran's Nour-2 military reconnaissance satellite was successfully launched aboard the Kavoshgar carrier rocket and entered a low Earth orbit at an altitude of 500 kilometers. As the second military satellite launched by Iran, the "Nur"-2 satellite has an orbital period of 90 minutes and a design life of 3 years. It is designed to perform military imaging reconnaissance and mapping missions, as well as civilian missions such as disaster relief. Previously, Iran launched the "Nur"-1 satellite in April 2020 with an orbital altitude of 425 kilometers and is still in orbit.

4. Navigation satellites

In 2022, the navigation satellite systems of the United States, Europe and other countries and regions have made new progress. The United States has launched and promoted a number of space-based navigation system improvement projects to enhance positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities; Russia continues to deploy the "Glonass" global navigation system; Europe plans to develop a low-orbit navigation satellite constellation and The preliminary design review of the second-generation "Galileo" navigation satellite was completed; Japan completed the preliminary test of the on-orbit operation function and performance of the "Quasi-Zenith" experimental satellite.

4.1 The United States accelerates the deployment of new generation GPS satellites

The new generation of U.S. GPS satellites includes 10 GPS III satellites and 22 GPS IIIF satellites. In May 2022, the fifth GPS III satellite will have initial operational capabilities. In November 2022, the American company SpaceX successfully sent the GPS III-SV04 satellite into space, completing the deployment mission of the fourth GPS III satellite. In December 2022, the United States officially launched GPS III satellites.

In January 2022, the U.S. Space Force signed a production contract with Lockheed Martin for 22 GPS IIIF satellites. Compared with GPS III satellites, GPS IIIF satellites have more advanced performance and new regional military protection capabilities. They can send credible M code (military code) signals to designated areas, and their anti-interference capabilities are increased by 60 times. The new generation of GPS constellations will have long-term autonomous operation capabilities, reducing dependence on ground operation and control systems. The spot beam power enhancement capability will be greatly improved, and the power enhancement in designated areas around the world can reach 20dB.

4.2 The U.S. Air Force’s “Navigation Technology Satellite”-3 enters the comprehensive testing stage before launch

In 2022, the U.S. Air Force’s Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) project has made substantial progress, laying the foundation for the launch of test satellites and on-orbit technology verification. In July 2022, the Space Vehicles Directorate of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory conducted an integration test on the "Navigation Technology Satellite"-3 to prepare for the launch of the navigation technology test series satellites that had been interrupted for 50 years. Navigation Technology Satellite-3 will demonstrate new technologies that could improve future GPS satellites, including steerable beams to provide area coverage, protection against signal interference and reprogrammable payloads that can be upgraded in orbit. The "Navigation Technology Satellite"-3 test satellite will be launched in 2023 to verify the new concept of resilient space-based PNT and new time-frequency technology, on-orbit programmable digital waveform generator, high-gain antenna, advanced L-band amplifier, and software Define new technologies such as receivers, and the verified new technologies will be applied on GPS IIIF satellites.

4.3 The US Space Development Agency seeks to develop a PNT service architecture based on low-orbit constellations

In November 2022, the U.S. Space Development Agency issued a request for information on phase 2 "transport layer" PNT service payloads, seeking to apply low-cost L-band PNT payloads to hundreds of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The PNT payload includes an on-orbit reprogrammable PNT signal generator, medium-sized high-power amplifier and fixed wide-beam antenna. The U.S. Department of Defense and Space Force Combat Command have identified this LEO constellation as a potential source of transmission PNT services that can supplement enhanced GPS and serve as a backup to GPS in extreme situations to provide advanced capabilities for navigation strategic planning and operations.

4.4 U.S. scientific researchers use the "Starlink" constellation to conduct positioning, navigation and timing capability verification, achieving a high positioning accuracy of 30 meters

In October 2022, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin conducted an independent study to analyze the PNT potential of SpaceX's "Starlink" constellation network communication signals. The test results show that positioning accuracy of 30 meters can be achieved by using a small radio receiver to monitor "Starlink" satellite signals and using the data sequence measured by the receiver to measure satellite distance.

4.5 Roscosmos launches three "GLONASS" navigation satellites

In July 2022, the Russian Federal Space Agency (RKA) successfully launched a "Glonass-K" navigation satellite using the "Soyuz 2.1b" launch vehicle . In October 2022, Russia launched a "GLONASS"-K satellite into the intended orbit. In November 2022, Russia successfully launched the Glonass-M navigation satellite. As of December 2022, Russia's "GLONASS" global navigation satellite system has a total of 26 satellites in orbit, of which 22 are in operation and 1 is in maintenance status. The "GLONASS" global satellite navigation system is Russia's dual-use military and civilian system, which can provide positioning and navigation services on land, sea and air to users around the world. Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems Company (Reshetnev), a subsidiary of Roscosmos, is manufacturing the third-generation GLONASS-K satellite, which will replace the GLONASS-M series satellites. The two new satellites launched this time are the fourth and fifth in the "GLONASS"-K series of navigation satellites, and are designed to operate for 10 years.

4.6 Inmarsat will help the UK build autonomous space-based navigation capabilities to replace the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service System

In June 2022, the British International Maritime Satellite Organization (Inmarsat) is developing a new technology to replace the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) satellite-based navigation enhancement system to help the UK build autonomous space-based navigation ability. Inmarsat has repurposed the transponders on its Inmarsat-3 F5 satellite to broadcast PNT signals to provide a test platform for alternative EGNOS SoL (Safety of Life) services. This move will help British companies and regulatory agencies verify the UK Space-Based Augmentation System (UKSBAS) plan and provide support for improving GPS navigation capabilities.

4.7 The European Space Agency plans to develop a low-orbit navigation satellite constellation

In November 2022, the Navigation Support Office (Navigation Support Office) under the European Space Agency plans to conduct an on-orbit demonstration of a new navigation satellite operating in low orbit, making it a supplementary constellation to the "Galileo" satellite navigation system constellation. The constellation will utilize a new multi-layered satellite navigation system to provide positioning, navigation and timing services that are more accurate, more robust and available globally. The European Space Agency initially plans to launch an initial micro-constellation consisting of at least six satellites to test its capabilities, key technologies, and signals and frequency bands for subsequent operations.

4.8 The European "Galileo II" navigation satellite system concept successfully completed the initial design review

In March 2022, European Airbus successfully completed the preliminary conceptual design and comprehensive review of customer system requirements for the "Galileo next-gen" navigation satellite system. The company will subsequently carry out and complete further verification, acceptance and qualification at the equipment and module levels. At the same time, the verification of the satellite's payload level has been fully launched, and the critical structural design review is about to expire.

4.9 Japan's Mitsubishi Electric announced that the "quasi-zenith" system satellite No. 1 has completed preliminary tests of on-orbit functions and performance as a successor to the satellite.

In April 2022, Japan's Mitsubishi Electric Corporation completed the preliminary on-orbit function and performance testing of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite Replacement 1 (QZS-1R) satellite system. At the same time, the Japanese government announced the launch of positioning and high-precision positioning enhancement services through QZS-1R and other in-orbit satellites. In the future, Mitsubishi Electric will also develop the "quasi-zenith" satellite system No. 5, 6 and 7 satellites for the Japanese government to realize the seven-star system of the "quasi-zenith" satellite system, improve its independent PNT capabilities, and enhance system performance and robustness.

5. Early warning satellites

In 2022, the United States will continue to improve the construction of the existing space-based early warning system, further strengthen the research and development and deployment of hypersonic weapon early warning and monitoring systems, and adjust the direction of the construction of the space-based early warning system. Russia is patching up its network to strengthen its active missile warning system.

5.1 The U.S. Space Development Agency will deploy low-orbit tracking satellites to achieve hypersonic weapon target tracking and indication capabilities

In January 2022, the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) stated that it would accelerate the deployment of "tracking layer" satellites in the "Defense Space Architecture" in low Earth orbit to achieve the goal of tracking hypersonic weapons and from space-based sensors to weapon systems Instruction ability.

5.2 The United States deploys “wide field of view” satellites

In July 2022, United Launch Alliance successfully launched the U.S. Space Force's "Wide Field of View" (WFOV) satellite using the Atlas-5 rocket. The "Wide Field" satellite was developed by Millennium Space Systems and L3 Harris Technology Company of the United States. It is mainly used to collect on-orbit data, explore missile warning algorithms, and provide the United States with "next generation overhead sustained infrared" (Next-GenerationOverhead Persistent Infrared, Next-Gen OPIR) project conducts risk reduction technology demonstrations.

The size of the "wide field of view" satellite is about a quarter of the current "Space-Based Infrared System" (SBIRS) missile early warning satellite, and its design life cycle is three years. In addition, the "wide field of view" satellite is equipped with L3 Harris' staring infrared detector. Its sensor uses a large area array of 4000×4000 pixels. The related technology can be used for the Space Development Agency's low-orbit tracking layer satellites and before the end of 2028. Four mid-orbit missile early warning satellites are deployed to detect and track hypersonic missiles.

5.3 The U.S. Space Force completes the construction of the "Space-Based Infrared System" early warning satellite system

In August 2022, the U.S. Space Force successfully launched the last of the six Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) missile early warning satellites, the SBIRS GEO 6 missile early warning satellite, marking the completion of the overall system deployment. The space-based infrared system is a geostationary satellite that carries scanning and staring infrared sensors that can detect heat plumes from missile exhaust and provide launch warnings for missile launches that may target the United States mainland, allies, or military deployment locations.