[Satellite TODAY 01-19-11] The U.S. Air Force has expanded Northrop Grumman’s Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) demonstration satellite program after its communications crosslink was activated and tested by the prime contractor and its sensor payload subcontractor, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman announced Jan. 18.
    The demonstration showed that STSS’ radio frequency relay between the missile defense satellites could establish communications between one spacecraft that is out of view of a ground station through another satellite in range, Northrop Grumman Vice President Doug Young said in a statement.
    “The crosslink expands the regions of the world where both satellites are in communication, enabling closure of the fire control loop with missile defense interceptors. The ability to acquire and hand-off timely tracked data from the infrared sensors on board STSS to the Ballistic Missile Defense System’s intercept chain is a critical capability for destroying targets as early as possible during their flight,” Young said.
    The missile-tracking capability being demonstrated by the STSS program will be designed to enable earlier intercepts of threat missiles and improve missile defense capabilities for U.S. military forces and its allies.