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Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program

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Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) or Hornet is a class of United States spy satellites.

The first two GSSAP spacecraft were launched in 2014, and a further two was launched on 19 August 2016 (USA-270 and USA-271). The first two were built by Orbital Sciences Corporation; their capabilities and development and construction budgets are classified. They operate in "near-geosynchronous orbit",[1][2] The first launch was scheduled for 23 July 2014 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV launch vehicle.[3]

Even during the testing process these satellites were pressed into early service to fulfill critical needs.[4]

On 12 September 2017, the third and fourth satellites were declared operational.[5]

Two more satellites (GSSAP-5 and GSSAP-6) have been successfully launched on 21 January 2022 by a Atlas V launch vehicle.[6] USA-270 approached two Chinese satellites in GEO to examine them more closely.[7] In 2023, Chinese researchers reported having observed 13 other instances where US satellites approached Chinese ones.[8]

In August 2023 the Space Systems Command announced the retirement of the GSSAP-2 satellite, the first of the constellation to be decommissioned, and its subsequent transfer into a graveyard orbit. Moreover, it revealed that two more satellites have been ordered to Northrop Grumman to keep up with the demand for GSSAP assets.[9] The launches of the new satellites are planned for 2024 and 2027 respectively, with the spacecraft being the first of the constellation not to be launched in pairs.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Neighborhood watch in space, Aviation Week and Space Technology, 4 August 2014, p.12
  2. ^ Butler, Amy (21 February 2014). "USAF Reveals Classified, New Spy Satellite". Aviation Week & Sapce Technology. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  3. ^ Harper, Jon (22 July 2014). "Air Force launching satellites to spy on other satellites". stripes.com. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  4. ^ Gruss, Mike (18 September 2015). "Space Surveillance Sats Pressed into Early Service". spacenews.com. SpaceNews. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  5. ^ Espinosa, Shellie-Anne (13 September 2017). "Two new satellites now operational, expand U.S. space situational awareness". afspc.af.mil. Air Force Space Command Public Affairs. Retrieved 15 September 2017. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ Graham, William (21 January 2022). "ULA's Atlas V launches satellite-inspection mission for Space Force". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  7. ^ Werner, Debra (2022-06-16). "An In-Orbit Game of Cat and Mouse: Close approaches prompt calls for communications and norms". SpaceNews.
  8. ^ Tamim, Baba (2023-05-07). "US conducted 14 spy missions on China's satellites in 2 years, claims Chinese study". interestingengineering.com.
  9. ^ Erwin, Sandra (15 August 2023). "U.S. deactivates GSSAP surveillance satellite, two new ones in the works". Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  10. ^ Hadley, Greg (17 August 2023). "Space Force Deactivates One Space Surveillance Satellite, Sets Plans for Two More". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
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