The Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstration satellites, built by Northrop Grumman Corporation and Raytheon Company, successfully detected and tracked a two-stage Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) during a U.S. Missile Defense Agency flight test on June 6, 2010.

Tracking data generated by the satellite sensors were transmitted to the Missile Defense Integration and Operation Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., which serves as the ground station for the two demonstration spacecraft.

"The STSS satellites operated as expected and the system generated high-quality track data during the boost phase in this first missile test of capabilities," said Gabe Watson, vice president, missile defense and missile warning programs for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems.

"The STSS system is on its way to proving the value of space-based sensors for missile defense by demonstrating the ability to detect and track missiles throughout their entire flight trajectory."

The missile tracking capability being demonstrated by the STSS Demonstration program will mature technologies and concepts of operation for an operational constellation.

The operational constellation will be designed to enable earlier intercepts of threat missiles in flight and to significantly improve the nation's missile defense capabilities for our homeland, deployed forces, friends and allies.