The United States' SBIRS GEO Flight 3 infrared imaging satellite designed to track infrared signatures of incoming Chinese and Russian ballistic missiles was successfully placed into geosynchronous transfer orbit after launching aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on Jan. 20 from Florida.

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SBIRS (Space-Based Infrared System) is considered one of the highest priority military space programs in defense of the U.S. It's a consolidated system designed to provide global, persistent, infrared surveillance capabilities to meet 21st century demands in four national security mission areas: missile warning, missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness.

SBIRS GEO is intended to meet the United States' infrared space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century.

There will be four SBIRS GEO satellites. The first two began operations in 2013. There has been no announcement for the launch date of the fourth satellite.

SBIRS uses a combination of dedicated satellites in geosynchronous orbit and instrument packages hosted aboard other satellites in highly elliptical Molniya orbits.

The early detection of incoming missiles gives the U.S. military time to react to the threat of a potential nuclear attack, and launching a counterstrike. SBIRS also allows missile defense systems to be targeted to intercept the attack.

The SBIRS spacecraft are also tasked with missions described as Technical Intelligence and Battlespace Awareness, using their sensors to identify and analyze the signatures of events producing infrared radiation, and to collect data on the conditions of battlefields to aid strategic planning.

The SBIRS program falls under the operation of the U.S. Air Force's 460th Space Wing, based at Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado.

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying SBIRS GEO Flight 3 satellite lifted-off from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

ULA is a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin with 116 successful launches under its belt after the SBIRS GEO Flight 3 mission.

TagsSBIRS GEO Flight 3 infrared imaging satellite, Space Based Infrared System, United States, U.S. Air Force