The first Operationally Responsive Space satellite, ORS-1, has achieved its initial/final operational capability, announced Air Force Space Command boss Gen. William Shelton. The satellite, which reached orbit in June 2011, includes a modified version of the SYERS-2 electro-optical/infrared imagery sensor employed by the U-2 surveillance aircraft. The satellite is helping to bolster the situational awareness of troops in Afghanistan. “Feedback we have received from US Central Command is that they are very pleased with the performance of ORS-1 to date,” said Thom Davis, ORS-1 program manager at Kirtland AFB, N.M. He added, “It is meeting requirements we established at the start of the program and they [USCENTCOM] are now finding new uses for it, so it continues to be a big impact to their overall mission operations.” The 1st Space Operations Squadron and Air Force Reserve Command’s 7th SOPS, both at Schriever AFB, Colo., control the satellite. (Kirtland report by Michael Kleiman)
The Defense Department hasn’t seen an increase in domestic violence reports among military families since the new coronavirus crisis began, despite the COVID-19 pandemic reportedly causing a spike in such activity across the globe, the head of the Pentagon’s Office of Military Family Readiness Policy told reporters Oct. 29. However,…