Posted on 11/18/2010 9:30:02 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Tomorrow the 460th Space Wing at Buckley Air Force Base will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first launch of the Defense Support Program (DSP) satellite. It was the beginnings of a satellite constellation that has been providing space-based infrared missile warning to our nation's leaders for four decades. On, Nov. 6, 1970 the launch of the maiden DSP spacecraft from Cape Canaveral, Fla. was accomplished.
During the last several decades, a dedicated team of scientists, engineers, acquisition specialists, civilian contractors and space professionals has ensured that the DSP system performed better than advertised and lasted much longer than designed.
Evidence of the spacecrafts' tenacity is shown by the fact that one of the satellites currently on-orbit has exceeded its design life more than four times over. The DSP story is one of technological innovation and dedicated professionalism.
Ping
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