U.S. launches 6 satellites for hypersonic and ballistic missile detection
Illustrative photo (Photo: Getty Images)
The United States of America has successfully launched six satellites that will aid in detecting ballistic and hypersonic missiles, according to the Pentagon.
"On Wednesday, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Space Development Agency (SDA) confirmed the successful launch of six satellites to low-Earth orbit at 5:30 p.m. ET from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket," the statement reads.
The satellites, including two satellites for the MDA's Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) and the last four SDA Tranche 0 (T0) Tracking Layer satellites of its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), were safely delivered into orbit. They are undergoing initial checkout, testing, and verification.
Following the launch, the two prototypes will undergo two years of testing in orbit. Over the next few weeks, MDA and SDA engineers will conduct a series of tests and verification procedures to ensure that the satellites operate and interact with other systems as expected.
Background
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan mentioned a threat to national security, but a broader briefing is scheduled for tomorrow.
CNN reported that House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner provided intelligence about a serious threat to national security to all members of Congress for review. This could be related to Russia.
Yesterday, ABC News reported that Russia wants to deploy nuclear weapons in space, which is why House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner provided intelligence about a serious threat to U.S. national security.
