Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) or Hornet is a class of United States spy satellites.
The first two GSSAP spacecraft, GSSAP 1 (USA-253) and GSSAP 2 (USA-254) were launched in 2014. They were built by Orbital Sciences Corporation; their capabilities and development and construction budgets are classified. They operate in "near-geosynchronous orbit", [1] [2] The first launch was scheduled for 23 July 2014 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV launch vehicle. [3] Even during the testing process these satellites were pressed into early service to fulfill critical needs. [4] In August 2023 the Space Systems Command announced the retirement of the GSSAP-2 satellite, the first of the constellation to be decommissioned, and its subsequent transfer into a graveyard orbit.
GSSAP 3 (USA-270) and 4 (USA-271) satellites were launched on 19 August 2016. On 12 September 2017, both were declared operational. [5] USA-270 approached two Chinese satellites in GEO to examine them more closely. [6] In 2023, Chinese researchers reported having observed 13 other instances where US satellites approached Chinese ones. [7]
Two more satellites (GSSAP-5 and GSSAP-6) have been successfully launched on 21 January 2022 by a Atlas V launch vehicle. [8]
In August 2023 the Space Systems Command revealed that two more satellites have been ordered to Northrop Grumman to keep up with the demand for GSSAP assets. [9] The launches of the new satellites were planned for 2024 and 2027 respectively, with the spacecraft being the first of the constellation not to be launched in pairs. [10]
GSSAP 7 and 8 are scheduled to be launched together in 2025 by a Vulcan Centaur VC4S. [11] [12] [13] GSSAP 9 and 10 will follow in 2027. [11]
Name | NSSDC ID | Launch date | Launcher |
---|---|---|---|
GSSAP 1, Hornet 1, USA 253 | 2022-174A | 23 July 2014 23:28 | Delta IV 368 |
GSSAP 2, Hornet 2, USA 254 | 2022-174B | ||
GSSAP 3, Hornet 3, USA 270 | 2016-052A | 19 August 2016 04:52 | Delta IV 375 |
GSSAP 4, Hornet 4, USA 271 | 2016-052B | ||
GSSAP 5, Hornet 5, USA 324 | 2022-006A | 21 January 2022 19:00 | Atlas V AV-084 |
GSSAP 6, Hornet 6, USA 325 | 2022-006B | ||
GSSAP 7, Hornet 7, USSF 87 | 2025 | Vulcan Centaur VC4S | |
GSSAP 8, Hornet 8, USSF 87 | |||
GSSAP 9, Hornet 9 | 2027 | ||
GSSAP 10, Hornet 10 |