SBIRS GEO-5 cleared for operational use

Space Operations Command has cleared the fifth geosynchronous-orbit Space Based Infrared System satellite for operational use after officials recently accepted the Lockheed Martin-built spacecraft.

The move, announced late last week, follows the satellite’s launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, in May 2021.

“The addition of SBIRS GEO-5 to our fleet of spacecraft will improve our nation’s missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness and technical intelligence capabilities,” Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting, head of Space Operations Command, said in the release.

The satellite is the first to incorporate the LM 2100 bus. The subsequent and final planned satellite of the series, SBIRS GEO-6, will also incorporate the LM 2100. The release noted GEO-6’s planned launch is later this year.

Moving forward, the SBIRS constellation is set to be replaced by the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared System, which carries a planned fiscal year 2025 launch date for the Block 0 satellites.

In all, five satellites are part of Block 0, including three GEO spacecraft built by Lockheed and two Polar spacecraft built by Northrop Grumman. The Space Force in late October signed off on a critical design review for the Block 0 GEO satellites.