Subscribe with SteadyGSSAP 1, ..., 10 (Hornet 1, ..., 10)
GSSAP [USAF]
GSSAP (Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program) or Hornet is a series of space surveillance satellites developed covertly by the Air Force and Orbital Sciences to provide a space-based capability operating in the near-geosynchronous orbit regime supporting U.S. Strategic Command space surveillance operations as a dedicated Space Surveillance Network (SSN) sensor.
Accourding to USAF officials, the GSSAP satellites will drift above and below the GEO belt, using electro-optical sensors to collect information on satellites and other objects in that region. The satellites are maneuverable, allowing them to collect intelligence on specific target satellites. GSSAP provides accurate tracking and characterization of satellites.
The first pair of GSSAP spacecraft was launched in 2014 from Cape Canaveral on board of a Delta-4M+(4,2) rocket with another pair following in 2016. A third pair was launched in 2020. A fourth pair has been ordered in 2023.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Space surveillance |
| Operator: | US Air Force (USAF) → US Space Force (USSF) |
| Contractors: | Orbital Sciences Corp. (OSC) |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | GeoStar-1 |
| Propulsion: | ? |
| Power: | 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries |
| Lifetime: | 6 years |
| Mass: | |
| Orbit: | 35800 km × 35900 km, 0.50° (#1, 2); 35752 km × 35819 km, 0.00° (#3); 35791 km × 35874 km, 0.02° (#4) |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GSSAP 1 (Hornet 1, USA 253, AFSPC 4) | 2014-043A | 28.07.2014 | CC SLC-37B | Delta-4M+(4,2) | with GSSAP 2, ANGELS | |
| GSSAP 2 (Hornet 2, USA 254, AFSPC 4) | 2014-043B | 28.07.2014 | CC SLC-37B | Delta-4M+(4,2) | with GSSAP 1, ANGELS | |
| GSSAP 3 (Hornet 3, USA 270, AFSPC 6) | 2016-052A | 19.08.2016 | CC SLC-37B | Delta-4M+(4,2) (upg.) | with GSSAP 4 | |
| GSSAP 4 (Hornet 4, USA 271, AFSPC 6) | 2016-052B | 19.08.2016 | CC SLC-37B | Delta-4M+(4,2) (upg.) | with GSSAP 3 | |
| GSSAP 5 (Hornet 5, USA 324, USSF 8, AFSPC 8) | 2022-006A | 21.01.2022 | CC SLC-41 | Atlas-5(511)ē | with GSSAP 6 | |
| GSSAP 6 (Hornet 6, USA 325, USSF 8, AFSPC 8) | 2022-006B | 21.01.2022 | CC SLC-41 | Atlas-5(511)ē | with GSSAP 5 | |
| GSSAP 7 (Hornet 7, USA 582, USSF 87) | 2026-029A | 12.02.2026 | CC SLC-41 | Vulcan Centaur VC4S | with GSSAP 8, USA 584 | |
| GSSAP 8 (Hornet 8, USA 583, USSF 87) | 2026-029B | 12.02.2026 | CC SLC-41 | Vulcan Centaur VC4S | with GSSAP 7, USA 584 | |
| GSSAP 9 (Hornet 9) | - | 2027 | CC | with GSSAP 10 | ||
| GSSAP 10 (Hornet 10) | - | 2027 | CC | with GSSAP 9 |
Launch Sites:
- CC = Cape Canaveral Space Force Station / Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Eastern Test Range, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA
References:
- Air Force Space Command: Fact Sheets - Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP)
- Amy Butler in Aviation Week: USAF Space Chief Outs Classified Spy Sat Program, 20 February 2014
