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)
Multilateralism and norms of behavior in space should be priorities in any future arms control negotiations, senior military leaders told Congress on June 15. The response to questions from Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) came the day before U.S. President Joe Biden is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin…