Defense Support Program

E73775

early-warning satellite system military satellite program

The Defense Support Program is a series of U.S. military early-warning satellites designed to detect missile launches and nuclear detonations using infrared sensors.

Aliases (1)

Defense Support Program satellites ×1

Statements (47)

Predicate	Object
instanceOf	early-warning satellite system → military satellite program →
abbreviation	DSP →
alsoKnownAs	DSP early-warning satellite system →
capability	detection of intercontinental ballistic missile launches → detection of nuclear explosions → detection of space launch vehicles → detection of submarine-launched ballistic missile launches → global missile launch detection coverage →
contractor	Northrop Grumman → TRW →
contributesTo	missile warning for national command authorities → nuclear deterrence → theater missile defense warning →
country	United States →
dataUsedBy	North American Aerospace Defense Command → United States Strategic Command →
designedDuring	Cold War →
developedBy	Aerospace Corporation → Northrop Grumman → TRW → United States Air Force →
domain	space-based surveillance →
firstLaunchDate	1970-11-06 →
fundingAgency	United States Department of Defense →
launchSite	Cape Canaveral Air Force Station → Vandenberg Air Force Base →
launchVehicle	Space Shuttle → Titan IIIC → Titan IV →
numberOfSatellitesLaunched	20+ →
operator	U.S. Space Force → United States Air Force →
orbitalRegime	geosynchronous orbit →
partOf	U.S. Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment system → United States ballistic missile defense system →
predecessor	Missile Defense Alarm System →
purpose	missile launch detection → nuclear detonation detection → strategic early warning →
sensorType	infrared →
startDate	1970 →
status	operationally succeeded by SBIRS →
successor	Space-Based Infrared System →
typeOfOrbit	Earth orbit →
uses	infrared sensors → scanning infrared telescopes →

Referenced by (5)

Subject (surface form when different)	Predicate
460th Space Wing ("Defense Support Program satellites") → Air Force Space Command →	operated
Air Force Space Command →	oversawProgram
Space-Based Infrared System →	replaced
Space-Based Infrared System →	successorTo