Key Flight Software Delivered for Missile Warning Satellite Built by Lockheed Martin
Written by thomas · Filed Under Aeronautics NewsOctober 22, 2008
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)
has delivered the latest block of flight software for the first
geosynchronous orbit (GEO-1) spacecraft in the Space Based Infrared System
(SBIRS) program.
The U.S. Air Force’s SBIRS program is designed to provide early warning
of missile launches, and simultaneously support other missions, including
missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness.
The software is an interim version of the second of two major blocks of
enhanced flight software designed to provide highly reliable spacecraft
command and control operations. It provides the functionality necessary to
begin Baseline Integrated System Testing (BIST), which will characterize
the performance of the integrated satellite and establish a performance
baseline prior to entering thermal vacuum testing next year.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., prime contractor for
the SBIRS program, has enhanced the SBIRS flight software architecture to
enable robust command and data handling, fault management and safe-hold
capabilities on the GEO satellite system.
“This delivery enables our team to begin baseline integrated system
test which represents a key milestone on our path to integrate, test and
deliver this system,” said Jeff Smith, Lockheed Martin’s SBIRS vice
president and program manager.
The second flight software block contains applications that control
space vehicle electrical power, temperature, attitude and navigation. It
also features a robust fault management system, which responds when an
anomaly is detected during on-orbit operations, putting the satellite into
a safe state while operators on the ground analyze the situation and take
corrective action.
Successful delivery of the final flight software block is necessary to
support pre-launch spacecraft testing, including thermal vacuum testing
which will validate spacecraft performance at temperature extremes greater
than those expected during on-orbit operations.
Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to provide two HEO payloads
and two GEO satellites, as well as ground-based assets to receive and
process the infrared data. Both HEO payloads are on-orbit and performance
meets or exceeds specifications.
Acoustic and pyroshock testing of the first GEO satellite began this
month where the integrated spacecraft is subjected to the maximum sound and
vibration levels expected during launch into orbit. Thermal vacuum testing
is on track for mid-2009. After the extensive environmental and final
integrated test phase, the spacecraft will be shipped to the Air Force in
preparation for launch in fiscal year 2010 from Cape Canaveral Air Force
Base, Fla.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., and Northrop
Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., the payload integrator, are
developing SBIRS for the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.
Air Force Space Command operates the SBIRS system.
Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin is a global security
company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally
engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The
corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.
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