Defense Support Program - General Characteristics

General Characteristics

  • Primary mission: Strategic and tactical missile launch detection
  • Contractor team: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, formerly TRW (for satellite bus) and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, formerly Aerojet Electronics Systems (for IR sensor)
  • 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

Read more about this topic:  Defense Support Program

Famous quotes containing the word general:

    A point has been reached where the peoples of the Americas must take cognizance of growing ill-will, of marked trends toward aggression, of increasing armaments, of shortening tempers—a situation which has in it many of the elements that lead to the tragedy of general war.... Peace is threatened by those who seek selfish power.
    Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)