Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (March 18, 2013) - A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rolls out for launch at Space Launch Complex-41 with the Air Force’s Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) GEO-2 spacecraft. Launch is set for Tuesday, March 19 at 5:21 p.m. EDT. SBIRS is a consolidated system intended to meet United States infrared space surveillance needs for decades to come. The SBIRS program addresses critical warfighter needs in the areas of missile warning, missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace characterization. Photo by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance
four national security mission areas including: missile warning, missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness.
Launch Notes: This launch will be the third ULA launch in 2013, the 37th Atlas V mission, and the 69th ULA launch. The SBIRS GEO-1 mission also launched on an Atlas V 401, blasting off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on May 7, 2011.
Viewing the Launch by Webcast: A live simulcast of the launch broadcast will begin at 5:01 p.m. EDT
Statement from Jim Sponnick, VP Mission Operations..
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is proud to be a part of the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Geosynchronous program with the U.S. Air Force.
Like SBIRS GEO-1 launched in 2011, SBIRS GEO-2, with its highly sophisticated scanning and staring sensors, will provide the nation with significantly improved missile warning and defense, battlespace awareness and technical intelligence.
The ULA team is focused on attaining Perfect Product Delivery for the SBIRS GEO-2 mission, which includes a relentless focus on mission success (the perfect product) and also excellence and continuous improvement in meeting all of the needs of our customers (the perfect delivery).
My thanks to the entire ULA team and to our mission partners for their dedication in bringing SBIRS GEO-2 to launch and to the U.S. Air Force for making possible this extraordinary mission.
Go Atlas! Go Centaur! Go SBIRS!