Following the successful June 29, 2011 launch, completion of all on-orbit checkout activities and transition to operational status, the U.S. Air Force is reporting that the ORS-1 satellite and ground systems are performing as required.

ORS-1 is the first satellite in the Operationally Responsive Space Program developed to support combatant command operations and will provide a battlespace awareness capability supporting U.S. Central Command's mission needs.

The satellite's payload leverages the Goodrich SYERS-2 multispectral sensor, the primary imaging sensor on the U-2 reconnaissance plane.

The spacecraft bus was built for Goodrich by ATK Space Systems and is based on its TacSat-3 bus. A ground segment developed by Goodrich formats the data from the sensor payload to leverage the downstream processing, exploitation and dissemination tools utilized by the warfighter today.

The ORS-1 program began in October 2008 following a dialogue between U.S. Strategic Command and USCENTCOM. Thirty months later the satellite was ready for launch and is now an operational asset - a remarkable milestone that takes most spacecraft seven to 10 years to achieve.

Andreas Nonnenmacher, vice president at Goodrich said, "As the prime contractor for the space vehicle we are very proud to be part of this historic mission and the team that rapidly developed and deployed this battlespace awareness capability for the joint warfighter.

We credit the success of the ORS-1 mission to a strong government/industry partnership and the tireless dedication of the entire team."

Results to date are very positive and Dr. Wegner, ORS office director stated, "We couldn't be prouder of the initial results from ORS-1. It is a reflection of the dedication of everyone involved and the true government-contractor team."

The ORS-1 program is managed and executed by the Space Development and Test Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, NM.

The directorate is executing the program for the ORS Office, which is a joint initiative of several agencies within DoD responsible for integrating joint ORS capabilities and applying ORS resources to the development, acquisition and demonstration of capabilities to meet specific responsive space needs as established by global combatant command joint force commanders and users.

Related Links
Goodrich Corporation
Space Technology News - Applications and Research

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