Second STSS sat completes vacuum tests

REDONDO BEACH, Calif., Nov. 29 (UPI) -- The second Northrop Grumman STSS satellite has completed its thermal vacuum testing program in California.

"The second of two Space Tracking and Surveillance System -- STSS -- demonstration satellites being built by prime contractor Northrop Grumman Corporation for the Missile Defense Agency has successfully completed thermal vacuum testing. The first STSS space vehicle completed thermal vacuum testing in May 2007," the company said in a statement Thursday.

"The second of two Space Tracking and Surveillance System demonstration satellites has completed thermal vacuum testing at Northrop Grumman facilities in Redondo Beach, Calif. Testing was done to confirm the satellite will operate according to its specifications in its space environment," the company said.

"Thermal vacuum testing is conducted to confirm that the satellite will operate according to specifications in its space environment. A key mission element demonstrated was the space vehicle's ability to detect and track a target missile. Trained crews located at the Missile Defense Space Experimentation Center -- MDSEC -- in Colorado Springs, Colo., also took control of the space vehicle to conduct on-orbit functional and performance tests including simulated scheduled communications opportunities," Northrop Grumman said.

"This major milestone is the culmination of months of space environmental testing to ensure successful on-orbit performance and reduction of risk -- important elements to launch readiness," said Alexis Livanos, corporate vice president and president of the company's Space Technology sector. "We are on track to deliver both satellites for launch next year."

"The STSS demonstration satellites will be launched in 2008 from Cape Canaveral and will communicate with the MDA's Ballistic Missile Defense System -- BMDS -- Test Bed via the Missile Defense Space Experimentation Center ground station. These demonstration STSS satellites will support the BMDS Test Bed by detecting and tracking missiles in all phases of flight. The test bed will allow the assessment of the STSS system's capabilities and its ability to operate in concert with other parts of a multi-layered missile defense architecture," Northrop Grumman said.