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Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
17:37:00
Tuesday May 18, 2021
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The Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) is a consolidated system intended to meet the United States' infrared space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century. The SBIRS program is designed to provide key capabilities in the areas of missile warning, missile defense and battlespace characterization via satellites in geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO), sensors hosted on satellites in highly elliptical orbit (HEO), and ground-based data processing and control. SBIRS ground software integrates infrared sensor programs of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) with new IR sensors.
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
1 Payload
4,500 kilograms
TDO (Technology Demonstrator Orbiter) 3 & 4 (also known as EZ 3 & 4) are experimental 12U cubesats flown for the United States Air Force Academy.
Low Earth Orbit
2 Payloads
Agency
ULAPrice
$123.00 million
Rocket
Diameter: 3.81m
Height: 58.3m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 13,600 kg
GTO: 6,890 kg
Liftoff Thrust
7,152 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 4.2m
Height: 13.8m
Stages
2
Strap-ons
2
87th
Mission
1st
Mission of 2021
144th
Mission
2nd
Mission of 2021
44th
Orbital launch attempt