The US Air Force’s (USAF) space-based infrared system (SBIRS) has been integrated with the spacecraft bus for the second geosynchronous satellite (GEO-2) for the second geosynchronous SBIRS spacecraft (GEO-2).

The device will allow the USAF to receive early warning for ballistic missile launches and support for missions including missile defence, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness from the SBIRS.

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The sensor payload consists of a scanning sensor for short revisit times over its full field of view and a staring sensor for focused stare operations over smaller areas.

The SBIRS will equip the US Air Force with superior and persistent infrared sensing capabilities.

The SBIRS constellation includes three highly elliptical orbit payloads, three geosynchronous orbit satellites and ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data.

The integration following tests will lead on to system-level environmental and acceptance testing for launch in 2011.

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