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Lockheed Martin Titan 4B/IUS successfully launched the twentieth
USAF Defense Support Program satellite (DSP 20) from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station, pad SLC 40 at 9:01 a.m. PDT (1401 UTC)
May 8. The launch cost US$432 million, and the classified
missile-detection satellite US$250 million. The satellite, built
by TRW Space and Electronics Group of Redondo Beach, Calif., and
Aerojet of Sacramento, Calif., will orbit in a geosynchronous
orbit.
The
2,350 kg (5,180 lbm) satellite has 1.275 kW of power, and is
designed for a three year design life, with a five year goal. The
satellite has improved hardening against the electromagnetic pulse
produced by nuclear weapons. Three DSP satellites remain to be
launched, after which it will be replaced by the Space Based
Infrared System (SBIRS).
This
is the 29th Titan 4 launched since 1989. In 1985, the U.S. Air Force
initially selected the Martin Marietta Astronautics division (now
Lockheed Martin), Denver, to build and launch 10 Titan 4s. In 1986 the contract was increased to 23 vehicles, and, in November
1989, the contract was extended to 41. The USAF will next use
a Titan 4B, in about six months, to launch a Milstar military
communications satellite. Lockheed Martin's contract with the U.S.
Air
Force to build the Titan 4 runs through 2003.
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