Work on Missile Warning Sensors Could Lead to CHIRP Follow-on Mission

摘要

The U.S. Air Force is seeking $29 million next year for work on missile warning sensor technology that eventually could be demonstrated aboard a dedicated small satellite or as a hosted payload aboard a commercial satellite, according to budget justification documents. The effort, which could lead to a follow-on to the successful Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload (CHIRP) mission that launched in September 2011, is one of multiple potential hosted payload initiatives contained in the Air Force's request. The service also will continue exploring hosted payload opportunities in protected communications and weather, budget documents show.