On July 23, 2014 the Air Force plans to launch two operational satellites and one experimental satellite into near-geosynchronous Earth orbit.
According to Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, “these operational and experimental systems will enhance the nation’s ability to monitor and assess events regarding our military and commercial systems. In essence, they will create a space neighborhood watch capability.”
The two operational satellites are part of the Air Force’s Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program. The GSSAP satellites will provide U.S. Strategic Command with space situational awareness data allowing for more accurate tracking and characterization of man-made orbiting objects. The satellites will drift a safe distance away from the GEO belt while surveilling the area to further enable spaceflight safety.
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