Boeing Completes SBSS Pathfinder Preliminary Design Review

SPACEWAR

The Space Based Space Surveillance System (SBSS) is an orbiting telescope that will be able to fix its optical eye on objects in the geo belt up to 23,000 miles away. Illustration credit: Erik Simonsen.

St Louis MO (SPX) Apr 07, 2005
Boeing, in partnership with Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, has successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the Space Based Space Surveillance (SBSS) Pathfinder system.

This is another significant program milestone demonstrating the "best-of-industry" approach the Boeing team has developed to meet program requirements.

The PDR, which was held in Huntington Beach, Calif., and included over 100 participants from the government and its contractors, conducted a thorough review of the SBSS Pathfinder system architecture and design.

The review was the culmination of a detailed Ground Segment Preliminary Design Audit (PDA) conducted by Boeing in early January, and a detailed Space Vehicle Preliminary Design Audit (PDA) conducted by Ball Aerospace, the spacecraft and payload provider, in late January.

At the conclusion of the 4-day PDR event, the Air Force customer was very pleased with the level of the review.

Col James Haywood, the Space Superiority Material Wing Commander concluded with, "Superb job on a successful PDR, a mature design and well-integrated baseline."

Under a contract awarded in March 2004, the Boeing team is developing a spacecraft with a visible sensor and ground segment.

The team is also responsible for mission planning, mission data processing, a 2008 launch, and an option to operate the system for up to one year prior to transitioning operations and maintenance to the Air Force customer.

"Our reliance on, and the potential vulnerability of our national space assets, underscores the importance of developing a robust space situational awareness capability," said John Fuller, vice president of Air Force Space Systems for Boeing.

"As a horizontally integrated company, we are able to access the capabilities and talent across the Boeing enterprise and the rest of industry."

SBSS Pathfinder is a low-risk, executable, cost-effective addition to the space situational awareness architecture.

Looking toward the future, the SBSS Objective System will consist of a constellation of satellites that will further increase capacity and timeliness of detecting and tracking orbiting space objects, including potential future threats to America 's space assets.

The Department of Defense will utilize data generated by the system to support worldwide military operations.

The SBSS Pathfinder program is jointly managed by the U.S. Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA, Northrop Grumman Mission System, Redondo Beach, CA, and Boeing Air Force Systems, Long Beach, CA, a business unit of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.

SPACEWAR

U.S. Military Wants Weapons In Space

Washington (UPI) Apr 6, 2005
The Bush administration is advocating the weaponization of space to sustain the global dominance of the U.S. military. "Because we depend so heavily on space capabilities, we must be prepared when directed to confront adversaries on the high ground of space," former Air Force Secretary Peter Teets told Congress in March.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.