SBIRS Satellite Programs: Aug/05 Developments

SBIRS-High(click to view full) Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Sunnyvale, CA has received a pair of cost-plus award-fee contract modifications related to the SBIRS satellite programs from the Headquarters Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA. In related news, the spacecraft core structure and propulasion system for the SBIRS-HIgh satellite has just been delivered. While SBIRS has had some successful tests and sub-program successes like the AMU, overall SBIRS-High is widely considered to be one of the most troubled satellite programs. It certainly features prominently in controversies and official reports regarding U.S. satellite efforts. Recent SBIRS-High developments include: One $48.6 contract modification (F04701-95-C-0017, P00313) is for planning and execution for Launch and on-orbit checkout of the SBIRS Geosynchronous Elliptical Orbit (GEO) Satellites, while continually operating the High Elliptical Orbit (HEO) payload. The period of performance for this engineering and technical support is being extended through to June 2010. This contract action supports the SBIRS Combined Task Force located at Boulder, CO. Negotiations were completed July 2005. An $11.6 million modification (F04701-95-C-0017, P00316), meanwhile, covers an engineering effort that will develop and qualify alternative drop-in single board computers for the SBIRS program. The work will be […]