Launch date set for Operationally Responsive Space's inaugural satellite

  • Published
  • By Michael P. Kleiman
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Kirtland Air Force Base, NM --  Approximately 17 months after its establishment in May 2007, the Operationally Responsive Space office here initiated work on its planned first satellite, which would transition from design and development to the launch pad in a rapid 32-month time frame.

Serving as a testament to its organization's moniker, the ORS-1 spacecraft has been scheduled for lift off on June 28 atop a Minotaur I rocket from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport; a facility owned by the Virginia Commercial Flight Authority, located at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va.

"I am proud of the ORS-1 team for what they have accomplished in the past 32 months," said Dr. Peter Wegner, ORS director. "The inaugural flight of the ORS spacecraft is historic and even more important is the significant capability it will provide to the warfighter in the next year."

During launch and the satellite's first 30 days operating in the cosmos, the Air Force
Space and Missile Systems Center's Space Development and Test Directorate, also located here, will administer ORS-1 operations including on-orbit checkout, calibration and validation procedures. Once accomplished, SMC/SD will transition management of the spacecraft to the 1st Space Operations Squadron, Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., and 14th Air Force who will control ORS-1 from the Multi-Mission Satellite Operations Center on behalf of U.S. Strategic Command and in support of U.S. Central Command.

Comprised of a customized adaption of the SYERS-2 sensor, employed on U-2 aircraft, ORS-1 came to fruition almost three years ago after discussions between USSTRATCOM and USCENTCOM. The latter recognized a need for enhanced battlespace awareness and asked for support from the former. USSTRATCOM then requested the ORS office to analyze potential solutions. ORS-1 was the result.

A collaborative effort, the ORS-1 mission team consists of SMC/SD, the U.S. Naval
Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C.; Goodrich Corporation ISR Systems Danbury, Ct., and the ATK Spacecraft Systems & Services, Beltsville, Md.

Initiated four years ago by the Defense Authorization Act, the ORS office, a DOD organization, which reports to the Secretary of the Air Force in his role as the department's executive agent for space, has been charged to develop low-cost, rapid-reaction payloads, buses, space lift and launch-control means to meet joint military operational needs for on-demand space support and regeneration.

"To develop, construct and launch an operational satellite in 32 months reflects the
dedication, determination and diligence of the entire ORS-1 team," Dr. Wegner said. "I'm confident that hard work will continue during launch and through the scheduled mission, which will provide the deployed warfighter with enhanced situational awareness to help protect them from harm. It's a calling we are proud of."