Painting of a DSP satellite on station. Primary sensor (lower left) is pointed at Earth.

The U.S. Air Force Space Command-operated Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites form the principle component of the United States Satellite Early Warning System (SEWS). In their 22,300 mi (35,900 km) geosynchronous orbits, they use infrared imaging sensors to detect the infrared light emitted from the intense sources of heat caused by missile or spacecraft launch booster plumes and nuclear explosions. They are occasionally also known as Integrated Missile Early Warning System (IMEWS) satellites. DSP satellite in space A painting of a Defense Support Program satellite from the U.S. Air Force Art collection. ... DSP satellite in space A painting of a Defense Support Program satellite from the U.S. Air Force Art collection. ... Seal of the Air Force. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Geostationary orbit. ... Image of a small dog taken in mid-infrared (thermal) light (false color) Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than visible light, but shorter than microwave radiation. ... A red-hot iron rod cooling after being worked by a blacksmith. ... A missile (British English: miss-isle; U.S. English: missl) is, in general, a projectile—that is, something thrown or otherwise propelled. ... Ariane 5 lifts off with the Rosetta space probe on March 2, 2004. ... A 23 kiloton tower shot called BADGER, fired on April 18, 1953 at the Nevada Test Site, as part of the Operation Upshot-Knothole nuclear test. ...

The satellites are equipped with infrared sensors operating through a wide-angle Schmidt telescope. The satellite spins so the sensors scan a larger circle than their field of view. Over several scans a stationary heat source such as a forest fire or volcanic eruption may be discriminated from a rapidly moving one. A Schmidt camera is an astronomical camera designed to provide wide fields of view with limited aberrations. ... Fire in San Bernardino, California Mountains (image taken from the International Space Station) A wildfire, also known as a forest fire, vegetation fire, grass fire, or bushfire (in Australasia), is an uncontrolled fire in wildland often caused by lightning; other common causes are human carelessness and arson. ... This article is about volcanoes in geology. ...

Typically, DSP satellites are launched on a Titan IV booster and inertial upper stage combination. However, one DSP satellite was launched using the space shuttle on mission STS-44 (November 24, 1991). The Titan IV family (including the IVA and IVB) of space boosters are used by the US Air Force. ... The Space Shuttle Columbia seconds after engine ignition, 1981 (NASA). ... Crew Frederick D. Gregory (3), Commander Terence T. Henricks (1), Pilot F. Story Musgrave (4), Mission Specialist Mario Runco, Jr. ... November 24 is the 328th day (329th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1991 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The 21st Space Wing, with headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., has units that operate DSP satellites and report warning information, via communications links, to the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Space Command early warning centers within Cheyenne Mountain, located near Colorado Springs, Colorado. These centers immediately forward data to various agencies and areas of operations around the world. Air Force Materiel Command's SBIRS Program office at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, California, is responsible for development and acquisition of the satellites. Peterson Air Force Base (Peterson AFB) is a base of the United States Air Force located in El Paso County, Colorado near Colorado Springs. ... The NORAD shield. ... 1,400 people work inside Cheyenne Mountain — they enter through this tunnel. ... Colorado Springs is a middle-sized city, located just east of the geographic center of the state of Colorado in the United States. ... This article is about the largest city in California. ...

History

The Defense Support Program replaced the 1960s space-based infrared Missile Defense Alarm System (MiDAS). The first successful launch of MiDAS was May 24, 1960 and there were twelve launches before the DSP program replaced it in 1966. May 24 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (145th in leap years). ... 1960 was a leap year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1966 was a common year starting on Saturday (link goes to calendar) // Events January January 1 - In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa ousts president David Dacko and takes over the Central African Republic. ...

The first launch of a DSP satellite was on 6 November 1970, since when it has become the mainstay of the United States ballistic missile early warning system. For the last 30-odd years hey have provided an uninterrupted space-based early warning capability. The original DSP satellite weighed 2,000 pounds (900 kg) and had 400 watts of power, 2,000 detectors and a design life of 1.25 years. Throughout the life of the program, the satellite design has undergone numerous improvements to enhance reliability and capability. The weight grew to 5,250 pounds (2,380 kg), the power to 1,275 watts, the number of detectors increased three-fold to 6,000 and the design life has been increased to a goal of five years. November 6 is the 310th day of the year (311th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 55 days remaining. ... 1970 was a common year starting on Thursday. ...

The numerous improvement projects have enabled DSP to provide accurate, reliable data in the face of evolving missile threats. On-station sensor reliability has provided uninterrupted service well past their design lifetime. Recent technological improvements in sensor design include above-the-horizon capability for full hemispheric coverage and improved resolution. Increased on-board signal-processing capability improves clutter rejection. Enhanced reliability and survivability improvements were also incorporated.

The 23rd, and last DSP satellite is scheduled to be launched in late 2005, after which DSP satellites will be replaced by the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellites. The project was originally to have had a life of 25 satellites, but the last two have been cancelled, mainly due to the reliability of their predecessors. 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) is a consolidated system intended to meet United States infrared space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century. ...

There were five major improvement programs prior to the current block:

1. Block 1: Phase I, 1970-1973, 4 satellites
2. Block 2: Phase II, 1975-1977, 3 satellites
3. Block 3: Multi-Orbit Satellite Performance Improvement Modification (MOS/PIM), 1979-1984, 4 satellites
4. Block 4: Phase II Upgrade, 1984-1987, 2 satellites
5. Block 5: DSP-I (DSP-Improved), 1989

The satellites' effectiveness was demonstrated during Desert Storm, when DSP detected the launch of Iraqi Scud missiles and provided warning to civilian populations and coalition forces in Israel and Saudi Arabia. See also: 2003 invasion of Iraq and Gulf War (disambiguation) C Company, 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment, 1st UK Armoured Division The Persian Gulf War was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 34 nations led by the United States. ... For the comics character Scud, see Scud: The Disposable Assassin. ...

More recently, there has been some effort put into using DSPs' infrared sensors as part of an early warning system for natural disasters like volcanic eruptions and forest fires.

General characteristics

• Primary mission: Strategic and tactical missile launch detection
• Contractor team: Northrop Grumman, formerly TRW and Aerojet Electronics Systems
• Weight: 5,250 lb (2,380 kg)
• Orbit altitude: 22,000 miles (35,900 km)
• Power plant: Solar arrays generate 1,485 watts
• Height: 32.8 ft (10 m) on orbit; 28 ft (8.5 m) at launch
• Diameter: 22 ft (6.7 m) on orbit; 13.7 ft (4.2 m) at launch
• Date first deployed: 1970
• Latest Satellite Block: Sats 18-23
• Unit Cost: $400 million

The Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is an aerospace and defense conglomerate that is the result of a 1994 merger between Northrop and Grumman. ... For other things named TRW, see TRW (disambiguation). ... Aerojet is a major rocket and missile propulsion manufacturer based primarily in Sacramento, California with divisions in Redmond, Washington, Orange, VA, Gainesville, VA, and Camden, AK. Their products include a wide range of propulsion, from main engines used on a number of NASA vehicles and ballistic missiles, down to stationkeeping... 1970 was a common year starting on Thursday. ...

Source:

Some of the information in this article is taken from the Fact Sheet published by Air Force Space Command, Public Affairs Office; 150 Vandenburg St., Suite 1105; Peterson AFB, CO, April 2004 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...