KSC-2009-5022

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers observe as the SV1 spacecraft is lowered onto the SV2 for mating. The two spacecraft are part of the Space Tracking and Surveillance System – Demonstrators, or STSS Demo, Program. The STSS Demo is a space-based sensor component of a layered Ballistic Missile Defense System designed for the overall mission of detecting, tracking and discriminating ballistic missiles. STSS is capable of tracking objects after boost phase and provides trajectory information to other sensors. It will be launched by NASA for the Missile Defense Agency between 8 and 8:58 a.m. EDT Sept. 18. Approved for Public Release 09-MDA-04886 (10 SEPT 09) Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann