[Satellite TODAY 07-20-10]  Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) demonstration program satellites built by Northrop Grumman and Raytheon have completed a U.S. Missile Defense Agency Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) test on the space-based sensor’s capabilities, the companies announced July 19.
    The STSS demonstration satellites detected the launch of a threat-representative missile and relayed trajectory data to the U.S. Military’s Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) ground stations. The STSS satellites acquired and tracked the missile as anticipated.
    This was the third completed test for the STSS system. On June 6, STSS detected and tracked a two-stage MDA Ground-Based Interceptor from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. On June 16, STSS detected and tracked the 200th scheduled test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, also launched from Vandenberg
     “The consistent performance of the STSS Demonstration satellites during the past three tests generates increased confidence in the system as well as the effectiveness of the future space sensor layer required for successful ballistic missile defense," Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Vice President Gabe Watson said in a statement.