[Satellite Today 10-29-08] The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a contract for the development phase of the Self-Awareness Space Situational Awareness technology demonstration program, the company announced Oct. 29.
    Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will develop a technology demonstration payload to provide tactical space situational awareness with dedicated communications. The surveillance system is intended to increase critical awareness of threats to U.S. satellites and demonstrate the capability to control and manage up to eight instruments for operational systems implementation.
    The Space Superiority Systems Wing of the Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center initiated the program after recognizing an emerging need to protect its satellite systems.
    After a two-year demonstration effort, the Air Force expects to award a contract for spacecraft integration and on-orbit operations that will run through 2011, with options for 2012 and 2013.