Subscribe with SteadyNG-OPIR-Polar 1, 2 (NGP 1, 2)
NG-OPIR-Polar 1 [Northrop Grumman]
The Next-Generation Overhead Persistent InfraRed (NG-OPIR) program is a planned system of early warning satellites for Intercontinental and theater Ballistic Missile launches with improved missile warning capabilities that are more survivable against emerging threats.
The Next Generation OPIR program is to replace the SBIRS-GEO satellites and SBIRS-HEO payloads. The FY2019 budget proposal calls for cancelling SBIRS-GEO 7 and 8, to shift the funds previously allocated for these satelllites to develop the new Next Generation OPIR system.
In May 2018 the USAF announced, they will issue sole sourced contracts to Lockheed Martin to build three NG-OPIR-GEO satellites and to Northrop Grumman to build two NG-OPIR-Polar satellites.
The first Polar satellite is to be launched in 2028.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Early Warning |
| Operator: | US Space Force (USSF) |
| Contractors: | Northrop Grumman (prime); Ball Aerospace → BAE Systems (payload) |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | |
| Propulsion: | |
| Power: | 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NG-OPIR-Polar 1 (NGP 1) | - | 2028 | Va | Vulcan Centaur VCxx or Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) | ||
| NG-OPIR-Polar 2 (NGP 2) | - | 202x | Va | Vulcan Centaur VCxx or Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) |
Launch Sites:
- Va = Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA
References:
- USAF: AF plans to accelerate defendable space with Next-Gen OPIR, 4 May 2018
