Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program

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Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) or Hornet is a class of United States spy satellites.

The first two GSSAP spacecraft were launched in 2014, and a further two was launched on 19 August 2016 (USA-270 and USA-271). The first two 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]

On 12 September 2017, the third and fourth satellites were declared operational. [5]

Two more satellites (GSSAP-5 and GSSAP-6) have been successfully launched on 21 January 2022 by a Atlas V launch vehicle. [6] USA-270 approached two Chinese satellites in GEO to examine them more closely. [7] In 2023, Chinese researchers reported having observed 13 other instances where US satellites approached Chinese ones. [8]

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. Moreover, it 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 are planned for 2024 and 2027 respectively, with the spacecraft being the first of the constellation not to be launched in pairs. [10]

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References

  1. ↑ Neighborhood watch in space, Aviation Week and Space Technology, 4 August 2014, p.12
  2. ↑ Butler, Amy (21 February 2014). "USAF Reveals Classified, New Spy Satellite". Aviation Week & Sapce Technology. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  3. ↑ Harper, Jon (22 July 2014). "Air Force launching satellites to spy on other satellites". stripes.com. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  4. ↑ Gruss, Mike (18 September 2015). "Space Surveillance Sats Pressed into Early Service". spacenews.com. SpaceNews. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  5. ↑ Espinosa, Shellie-Anne (13 September 2017). "Two new satellites now operational, expand U.S. space situational awareness". afspc.af.mil. Air Force Space Command Public Affairs. Retrieved 15 September 2017.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  6. ↑ Graham, William (21 January 2022). "ULA's Atlas V launches satellite-inspection mission for Space Force". NASASpaceFlight . Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  7. ↑ Werner, Debra (2022-06-16). "An In-Orbit Game of Cat and Mouse: Close approaches prompt calls for communications and norms". SpaceNews.
  8. ↑ Tamim, Baba (2023-05-07). "US conducted 14 spy missions on China's satellites in 2 years, claims Chinese study". interestingengineering.com.
  9. ↑ Erwin, Sandra (15 August 2023). "U.S. deactivates GSSAP surveillance satellite, two new ones in the works" . Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  10. ↑ Hadley, Greg (17 August 2023). "Space Force Deactivates One Space Surveillance Satellite, Sets Plans for Two More". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
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