* Astronomy

Lockheed Martin announced today that it has successfully completed an extensive test phase of the first Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellite.

SBIRS will provide the nation with significantly improved missile warning capabilities and support other critical mission areas simultaneously including missile defence, technical intelligence and battlespace characterisation.
The test of the GEO-1 spacecraft, known as Spacecraft Functional Testing (SCFT), was conducted at Lockheed Martin's Space Systems facilities in Sunnyvale, California, from April 12 to Aug. 16, 2006 and verified the functional requirements of the GEO spacecraft to ensure it is assembled to specification.
The spacecraft was tested at ambient conditions to verify correct operation of the electrical power, command and data handling, thermal management, guidance navigation and control, communication and propulsion subsystems.

"Completion of spacecraft functional testing is yet another important milestone in our development of this sophisticated program. The team executed a highly disciplined and successful test and the results give us high confidence that the spacecraft will meet all performance requirements" - Mark Crowley, Lockheed Martin's SBIRS vice president.

With the completion SCFT, the team is now preparing the spacecraft for engineering thermal vacuum testing which will demonstrate the spacecraft performance at temperature extremes greater than those expected during on- orbit operations.

www.lockheedmartin.com