[Satellite TODAY 05-10-11] United Launch Alliance (ULA) has successfully launched the Space Based Infrared System SBIRS GEO-1 U.S. military satellite into orbit on an unmanned Atlas 5 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the U.S. Air Force announced May 7.

            After being delayed by one day due to unfavorable weather conditions, SBIRS GEO-1 will commence its mission to enhance the U.S. Department of Defense’s missile defense and detection capabilities. The rocket carried the first satellite in the U.S. military’s planned four-satellite SBIRS constellation. GEO-1, built by Lockheed Martin, will replace the military’s Defense Support Program satellites that are currently in orbit.

The spacecraft includes sophisticated scanning and staring sensors that will aim to deliver improved infrared sensitivity and a reduction in area revisit times over the current constellation. The scanning sensor will provide a wide area surveillance of missile launches and natural phenomena across the Earth, while the staring sensor will be used to observe smaller areas of interest with superior sensitivity, the Air Force said.