Space - Based Infrared System The Space - Based Infrared System ( SBIRS ) is a consolidated system intended to meet the United States ' infrared space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century . The SBIRS program is designed to provide key capabilities in the areas of missile warning , missile defense and battlespace characterization . SBIRS is an integrated " system of systems " that will include satellites in geosynchronous orbit ( GEO ) , sensors hosted on satellites in highly elliptical orbit ( HEO ) , and ground - based data processing and control . A complement of satellites in low earth orbit was planned as part of the program ( SBIRS Low ) , but this has been moved into the STSS program . SBIRS ground software integrates infrared sensor programs of the U . S . Air Force ( USAF ) with new IR sensors . SBIRS continues to struggle with cost overruns , with Nunn - McCurdy breaches occurring in 2001 and 2005 . By September 2007 , the expected project cost had increased to $ 10 . 4 billion . The original contract consisted of 2 HEO satellite sensors and 2 - 3 GEO sensors ( and satellites ) with an option to buy a total of 5 GEOs . In December 2005 , following the third SBIRS Nunn - McCurdy violation , the government decided to compete GEO 4 and 5 , with an option to buy the GEO 3 contingent based on the performance of the first two . Additionally , the government started a potential SBIRS High replacement program , writing out proposals in June 2006 . On June 2 , 2009 Lockheed Martin announced it had been awarded a contract for the third HEO payload and the third GEO satellite , and for associated ground equipment modifications . On July 10 , 2009 , Lockheed Martin was awarded $ 262 . 5 million as down payment by the USAF towards the purchase of a fourth satellite . The first GEO satellite of the SBIRS program , GEO - 1 , was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral on an Atlas V rocket on May 7 , 2011 . In summary , as of March 2013 , a total of 7 satellites carrying SBIRS or STSS payloads have been launched : GEO - 1 ( USA - 230 , 2011 ) , GEO - 2 ( USA - 241 , 2013 ) , HEO - 1 ( USA - 184 , 2006 ) , HEO - 2 ( USA - 200 , 2008 ) , STSS - ATRR ( USA - 205 , 2009 ) , STSS Demo 1 ( USA - 208 , 2009 ) and STSS Demo 2 ( USA - 209 , 2009 ) . Background . Based on its experiences with the launching of short - range theater missiles by Iraq during the 1991 Persian Gulf War , the U . S . Department of Defense ( DOD ) concluded that expanded theater missile warning capabilities were needed , and it began planning for an improved infrared satellite sensor capability that would support both long - range strategic and short - range theater ballistic missile warning and defense operations . In 1994 , DOD studied consolidating various infrared space requirements , such as for ballistic missile warning and defense , technical intelligence , and battlespace characterization , and it selected SBIRS to replace and enhance the capabilities provided by the Defense Support Program ( DSP ) . The Defense Support Program is a strategic surveillance and early warning satellite system with an infrared capability to detect long - range ballistic missile launches , and has been operational for over 30 years . DOD has previously attempted to replace the Defense Support Program with : According to the Government Accountability Office ( GAO ) , these attempts failed due to immature technology , high cost , and affordability issues . SBIRS is to use more sophisticated infrared technologies than the DSP to enhance the detection of strategic and theater ballistic missile launches and the performance of the missile - tracking function . SBIRS High . SBIRS High ( also now simply referred to as " SBIRS " ) is to consist of four dedicated satellites operating in geosynchronous earth orbit , and sensors on two host satellites operating in a highly elliptical orbit . SBIRS High will replace the Defense Support Program satellites and is intended primarily to provide enhanced strategic and theater ballistic missile warning capabilities . SBIRS High GEO 1 was launched on May 7 , 2011 . Two SBIRS sensors hosted on two classified satellites in highly elliptical orbit have already been launched , probably as part of the NROL - 22 ( USA 184 ) and NROL - 28 ( USA 200 ) launches in 2006 and 2008 . USA 184 and USA 200 are believed by analysts to be ELINT satellites in the family of JUMPSEAT and TRUMPET ; TRUMPET has been reported to have carried an infrared sensor called HERITAGE . The prime contractor for SBIRS is Lockheed Martin , with Northrop Grumman as the major subcontractor . Lockheed Martin also provides the satellite for SBIRS GEO . The system ' s expected deployment was delayed from December 2009 to 2011 because of problems with Lockheed ' s workmanship on system components , including unresolved software malfunctions and several broken solder joints in a subcontract procured gyroscope assembly on the first spacecraft being built . It was feared that a further launch postponement into late 2011 would lead to conflict with the planned launches of NASA ' s Juno spacecraft and Mars Science Laboratory , which will all use the same launch facility . However , the first GEO launch , GEO - 1 , was successfully conducted on May 7 , 2011 . SBIRS Low ( Space Tracking and Surveillance System ) . The SBIRS Low contract is now managed by the Missile Defense Agency ( MDA ) and has been subsequently renamed to the Space Tracking and Surveillance System ( STSS ) . Original SBIRS Low . The SBIRS Low program was originally expected to consist of about 24 satellites in low earth orbit . The primary purpose of SBIRS Low was the tracking of ballistic missiles and discriminating between the warheads and other objects , such as decoys , that separate from the missile bodies throughout the middle portion of their flights . The system was to have two major sensors , coordinated by an on - board computer : SBIRS Low ' s original deployment schedule was 2010 , the date when its capabilities were said to be needed by the National Missile Defense System . Space Tracking and Surveillance System . In 2001 , the Missile Defense Agency assessed the programs needed for a national ballistic missile defense system ( BMDS ) and found that they were lacking in the relatively new arena of space . The MDA decided to absorb the SBIRS Low constellation in its very early stages of development and renamed the program the Space Tracking and Surveillance System ( STSS ) . This transition changed the direction of the program somewhat , but the overall mission remained the same — detection and tracking of ballistic missiles through all of its phases of flight . Ground segment . The ground segment of SBIRS consists primarily of the Mission Control Station ( MCS ) at Buckley AFB , Aurora , Colorado , and the Mission Control Station Backup ( MCSB ) at Schriever AFB , Colorado Springs , Colorado . In addition , Joint Tactical Ground Station s ( JTAGS ) provide deployable downlinks for SBIRS data .