[Satellite TODAY 02-01-12] The U.S. Air Force’s Operationally Responsive Space-1 (ORS-1) satellite has achieved initial and final operational capability, Air Force Space Command commander Gen. William Shelton announced Jan. 31.
   The ORS-1 satellite program began in October 2008 to address requirements for enhanced battlespace awareness with U.S. Strategic Command. The ORS-1 spacecraft features a modified version of the SYERS-2 sensor, currently employed by U-2 aircraft. The satellite, which reached orbit in June 2011, will remain under the control of the 1st and 7th Space Operations Squadrons at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo. 
   “Feedback we have received from U.S. Central Command is that they are very pleased with the performance of ORS-1 to date," said Thom Davis, ORS-1 program manager at Kirtland Air Force Base in a statement. “It is meeting requirements we established at the start of the program and [USCENTCOM] are now finding new uses for it, so it continues to be a big impact to their overall mission operations."