Lockheed Martin has completed a test of the first Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous-orbit (GEO) satellite, the company announced Aug. 30.

The test of the GEO-1 spacecraft verified operation of the satellite’s electrical power, command and data handling, thermal management, guidance navigation and control, communication, and propulsion subsystems. The test was conducted at Lockheed Martin’s Space Systems facilities in Sunnyvale, Calif., from April 12 to Aug. 16.

SBIRS will provide missile-warning capabilities and also support other areas including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace characterization. Lockheed Martin is under contract to provide two payloads in highly-elliptical orbit (HEO) and two GEO satellites as well as fixed and mobile ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data.

The team has delivered both HEO payloads and is on schedule to launch the first GEO satellite in late 2008.