Two Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) demonstration satellites being built by prime contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. [NOC] for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) completed acoustic testing.

The satellites, tested in their launch configuration, simulating the planned tandem launch on a Delta II launch vehicle, weresubjected to the maximum sound and vibration levels expected during their launch into orbit.

Testing was performed at the Northrop acoustic test facility in Redondo Beach, Calif.

"This step marks a key milestone in the schedule as the space vehicles progress towards final checkouts in preparation for shipping to the launch site later this year," said Gabe Watson, vice president and STSS program manager for Northrop Space Technology.

STSS demonstration satellites will communicate with the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) via the Missile Defense Space Experimentation Center ground station. These STSS Demonstration satellites will support the BMDS test bed by detecting and tracking missiles in all phases of flight. The test bed will allow assessment of STSS capabilities and its ability to operate in concert with other parts of a multilayered missile defense architecture.