USA-273
 Launch of USA-273 on an Atlas V. | |
| Mission type | Infrared early warning IRINT |
|---|---|
| Operator | United States Air Force |
| COSPAR ID | 2017-004A |
| SATCAT no. | 41937 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | SBIRS-GEO |
| Bus | A2100M |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Power | watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 21 January 2017, 00:42 UTC[1] |
| Rocket | Atlas V 401 AV-066[1] |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral, SLC-41 |
| Contractor | ULA |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | GEO |
USA-273, also known as SBIRS-GEO 3, is an American military satellite and part of the Space-Based Infrared System. It was launched on January 21, 2017 from Cape Canaveral, atop an Atlas V rocket.
Overview
The SBIRS satellites are a replacement for the Defense Support Program early warning system. They are intended to detect ballistic missile launches, as well as various other events in the infrared spectrum, including nuclear explosions, aircraft flights, space object entries and reentries, wildfires and spacecraft launches.
SBIRS-GEO 3 was manufactured by Lockheed Martin and is built upon the A2100M satellite bus.
References
- ^ a b Ray, Justin (21 January 2017). "Atlas 5 rocket successfully delivers vital national asset into space". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
External links
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