US Military Launches New Missile Defense Satellite RIA Novosti, PUBLISHED March 24, 2013 The United States launched on Tuesday a military satellite designed for infrared detection of ballistic missile launches, the US media reported. GEO-2 is the second satellite in the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS), a US Air Force program developed to provide the United States with advance warning of potential nuclear attacks. An Atlas V rocket lifted off at 16:21 EST (21:21 GMT) from Cape Canaveral space center in Florida, according to nasaspaceflight.com internet portal. The satellite will be placed into a classified position on a geostationary orbit about 22,300 miles (36,000 km) above the Earth. The first SBIRS GEO series satellite was orbited in 2011. The US Air Force hopes to have a total of six SBIRS satellites in orbit by 2016, the Denver Post reported on Tuesday. "Our ability to provide strategic missile warning is critical to the nation's survival," Gen. William Shelton, Commander of Air Force Space Command, earlier said. US efforts to bolster homeland missile defenses follow recent threats by North Korea to launch a preemptive nuclear attack against Washington after the United Nations voted for new sanctions against Pyongyang in response to February’s nuclear test. The US military intends to deploy 14 additional interceptors in Alaska by 2017 to counter the threat and install a radar station in Japan for early tracking of North Korean missiles. Topics: USA Other news: Belarus NPP: the construction is ahead of schedule In September 2013 it is necessary to complete work on all 62 facilities of the construction support base and off-site grids and utilities. Chernobyl Nuclear Plant: Business as Usual No one was hurt in the incident, the station's management said. I am deeply proud that TENAM, after our incorporation in 2010, has concluded our first contract with the Fuelco group. |
Hero of the day Jacques Repussard: knowledge, independence, proximity They told me: "Mr Repussard, we're not used to responding to anti-nuclear organisations". To which I replied: "We will not reveal any state or trade secrets, but we will not leave them without any answer". INTERVIEW
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