The first Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) satellite arrived at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., for launch preparation, Northrop Grumman Corp. [NOC] announced.

"This delivery is a significant milestone in the development of our nation’s ability to defend against an increasing ballistic missile threat," said Gabe Watson, vice president and STSS program manager for Northrop. "As the … Missile Defense Agency’s only space-based midcourse tracking system, STSS is a capability multiplier, improving the performance of the overall missile defense system."

Using onboard sensors capable of detecting infrared and visible light, STSS will become part of land-, sea-, air- and space-based ballistic missile defense system sensors.

Once operational, STSS will pass missile tracking data to missile defense interceptors with the accuracy and timeliness necessary to enable them to successfully intercept missile targets.

Northrop received an $868 million cost-plus award fee contract in 2002 from the agency to develop the demonstration satellites.

The STSS ground station, located at the Missile Defense Integration & Operations Center (MDIOC) at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colo., is already operational. Northrop Grumman developed ground system functions to support STSS spacecraft telemetry, tracking and command, and mission data processing.