Overview

 

Defense Support Program (DSP) consists of satellites on geostationary orbits and associated ground systems. For strategic applications, the latter include fixed and mobile ground processing stations and an associated ground communications network (GCN) controlled via the Data Distribution Center (DDC) that governs the distribution of messages to users. For tactical applications, there is a Centralized Tactical Processing Element (CTPE) that fuses data at the sensor level from DSP satellites and other real-time sources to support Theater warfighters worldwide, but the communication resources required to link the CTPE to its data sources and those used to distribute tactical messages to the theater warfighters are controlled by external agencies. DSP's primary mission is to provide near real-time tactical warning and limited assessment of a strategic ballistic missile attack and to support warning, missile defense, and attack operations in tactical contexts. DSP's IR capabilities also serve as a space based surveillance system to support intelligence activities to provide commanders with weapons performance and derived data and national leaders with threat and foreign technology development information, while DSP's NUDET capabilities support National Command Authority decision making in the areas of Treaty Monitoring, Integrated Tactical Warning/Attack Assessment and Nuclear Force Management.Description

 

DSP is a high power, space based infrared detection system. Its main strategic function is to detect and report intercontinental and sub-launched ballistic missile (ICBM and SLBM) raids against the U.S. and its allies, and tactical ballistic missile (TBM) launches in areas of interest to theater warfighters worldwide.

 

DSP was developed by TRW and Aerojet, with the first launch in 1970. Since then, both the space and ground elements of the system have frequently been upgraded. To support DSP's collection of infrared emissions from launch plumes and other events of interest, the 6000+ detectors onboard the latest satellites combine two wavebands and provide comprehensive coverage, both above and below the horizon (ATH and BTH). Eighteen satellites have been launched since 1970, with another five planned over the coming years. The current on-orbit DSP configuration calls for four operational satellites and one on-orbit spare, but as a practical matter, all of the on-orbit satellites with remaining mission capability are exploited on an ad hoc basis, even after they are decommissioned from full-up operational status.