Experimental defense satellites launched

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- A rocket carrying two experimental satellites to track enemy missiles was launched Friday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., NASA officials said.

The experimental satellites were aboard a missile defense payload on a Delta II rocket, NASA said on its Web site.

The $1.5 billion Space Tracking and Surveillance System Demonstrator is designed to spot incoming missiles early in flight and signal interceptors to destroy them.

The satellites have power-generating solar wings and are equipped with infrared and visible sensors to spot missile launches and track attacks, NASA said.

The satellites, built by Northrop Grumman and Raytheon, are to circle the Earth within the Ballistic Missile Defense System.

The U.S. government had considered deploying large numbers of similar missile-tracking satellites, but funding cutbacks have limited that plan to the two satellites launched Friday, The Orlando Sentinel reported.



Copyright 2009 by United Press International

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