Lockheed Martin is advancing the development of geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellites for the U.S. Space Force’s Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) program. This program is designed to provide advanced missile warning and defense capabilities for the United States and its allies.
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The Next-Gen OPIR system, developed by Lockheed Martin, is intended to replace the current Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS), which has served as the backbone of U.S. missile detection for years. Unlike SBIRS, the new satellites developed by Lockheed Martin offer greater sensitivity and faster detection, enabling military and defense teams to track ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, and other emerging missile technologies in real time.
Equipped with state-of-the-art infrared sensors by Lockheed Martin, the satellites can detect missile launches almost immediately, even from thousands of miles away. This ability to monitor missile activity globally is critical for providing early warning and ensuring rapid response to potential threats.
Recently, the U.S. Space Force confirmed an $87.1 million order to Lockheed Martin’s Space segment in Sunnyvale, California, for the geosynchronous segment of the Next-Gen OPIR program. This order is part of a larger contract that now totals $8.1 billion. Work on the satellites will be conducted in Longmont, Colorado, and Sunnyvale, California, with completion expected by July 2029.
Geosynchronous and Polar-Orbiting Satellites Explained
The Next-Gen OPIR program includes two types of satellites, each serving a different purpose. The geosynchronous satellites orbit approximately 22,000 miles above the Earth. Their high altitude allows them to maintain a fixed position relative to the planet, providing constant coverage of mid-latitude regions. These regions include several areas of strategic importance, making continuous monitoring essential. Lockheed Martin is responsible for managing these GEO satellites, while RTX Raytheon provides the payloads.
In addition to the GEO satellites developed by Lockheed Martin, the program features polar-orbiting satellites developed by Northrop Grumman and Ball Aerospace. These satellites travel over the Earth from pole to pole, offering coverage of northern polar regions. This is particularly important because missile threats often take the shortest route across the poles, and early detection in these areas can make a significant difference in defense readiness.
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By combining Lockheed Martin’s geosynchronous satellites with polar-orbiting satellites, the U.S. Space Force ensures near-global surveillance, with the ability to detect missile launches almost anywhere on Earth. The first GEO satellites developed by Lockheed Martin are expected to launch between 2025 and 2026, while the polar-orbiting satellites are planned for launch around 2028. This combination of satellite types will significantly enhance the nation’s early-warning capabilities.
Advanced Technology and Operational Features
Next-Gen OPIR satellites are designed to operate in complex and potentially contested space environments. Their infrared sensors are highly sensitive and can detect fast-burning or dim missile boosters that older systems might miss. This sensitivity is critical for monitoring advanced missile technologies, including hypersonic weapons that travel at extremely high speeds and can evade traditional detection methods.
The satellites are equipped with advanced communication systems that rapidly transmit missile warning data to U.S. and allied defense networks. This ensures that military and defense leaders receive critical information in real time, allowing for quicker decision-making and a coordinated response to threats.
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The combined capabilities of geosynchronous and polar-orbiting satellites provide persistent monitoring and coverage, even in congested or potentially hostile space environments. This system represents a major step forward in missile defense technology, providing early warning against threats that could endanger infrastructure, civilian populations, and national security interests.
Lockheed Martin’s continued progress on the geosynchronous segment of the Next-Gen OPIR program demonstrates the U.S. Space Force’s commitment to strengthening missile defense capabilities. With the first satellite launches expected within the next year or two, the Next-Gen OPIR system is set to become a cornerstone of modern missile detection and warning.
