Redstone Rocket

The Missile Defense Agency and Space Development Agency confirmed the successful launch of six satellites into low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, Feb. 14.

The launch included two satellites for MDA’s Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor and the final four SDA Tranche 0 Tracking Layer satellites of its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. As part of the National Security Space Launch program, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket delivered the satellites to orbit.

“This is a phenomenal step forward for Missile Defense Agency, our Missile Defense System, and our family,” MDA Director Lt. Gen. Heath Collins said. “With the proliferation of longer-range hypersonic maneuvering threats, the threat has not held still and we need to re-identify the Missile Defense System to counter this new, very complicated maneuvering threat. The first part of that would be our ability to detect, track and hold those threats at risk the entire time of flight, and that’s where HBTSS comes into play.”

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