A significant feature of the SBIRS High GEO satellites is the pointing and control assembly (PCA) that enables the satellite's two optical systems to be positioned to scan and stare at designated areas, so that operators can modify areas of surveillance according to national priorities.

The heart of the SBIRS GEO satellite is the ability to use one optical system to rapidly and repeatedly scan an area of interest for infrared activity while not interfering with the second optical system's ability to simultaneously stare at another area. The successful test was conducted at Lockheed Martin's facilities in Sunnyvale, Calif. It demonstrated that other sources of movement, such as reaction wheels, solar arrays and various deployable and steerable mechanisms would not hinder the multiple missions of the infrared payload.

When fully operational, SBIRS High will comprise two payloads in highly elliptical orbit (HEO), four satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO), as well as fixed and mobile ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data. The team of Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., the SBIRS High prime contractor, and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., the payload provider, has completed both HEO payloads and is on track to begin final integration and test of the first GEO satellite later this year in preparation for launch in fiscal year 2008.