Federal Drive

New satellite to provide missile-launch warning

At nearly four times the budget, a new Air Force satellite is about to be launched nine years late.

Federal News Network Staff

April 27, 2011 8:40 am

< a min read

The Air Force prepares to launch a new satellite designed to spot incoming missiles. NextGov reports, the blastoff is scheduled for May 6, about nine years late. The satellite is one of four planned for a program called Space-Based Infrared System. The new satellite will occupy a spot in geosynchronous orbit, 22,000 miles above the earth. Air Force officials say it’s far more sensitive than missile-spotting satellites now in use. Originally the program was supposed to cost around $4 billion, but so far, the Air Force has spent more than $15 billion.

This story is part of Federal News Radio’s daily DoD Report. For more defense news, click here.