Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program
American military space surveillance program
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) or Hornet is a class of United States spy satellites.
Missions
AFSPC-4 (GSSAP-1 & 2)
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The first two GSSAP spacecraft, GSSAP 1 (USA-253) and GSSAP 2 (USA-254) were launched in 2014. They were built by Orbital Sciences Corporation; their capabilities and development and construction budgets are classified. They operate in "near-geosynchronous orbit",[1][2] The first launch was scheduled for 23 July 2014 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV launch vehicle.[3] Even during the testing process these satellites were pressed into early service to fulfill critical needs.[4] In August 2023 the Space Systems Command announced the retirement of the GSSAP-2 satellite, the first of the constellation to be decommissioned, and its subsequent transfer into a graveyard orbit.
AFSPC-6 (GSSAP-3 & 4)
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GSSAP 3 (USA-270) and 4 (USA-271) satellites were launched on 19 August 2016. On 12 September 2017, both were declared operational.[5] USA-270 approached two Chinese satellites in GEO to examine them more closely.[6] In 2023, Chinese researchers reported having observed 13 other instances where US satellites approached Chinese ones.[7]
USSF-8 (GSSAP-5 & 6)
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Two more satellites (GSSAP-5 and GSSAP-6) have been successfully launched on 21 January 2022 by a Atlas V launch vehicle.[8]
USSF-87 (GSSAP-7 & 8)
In August 2023 the Space Systems Command revealed that two more satellites have been ordered to Northrop Grumman to keep up with the demand for GSSAP assets.[9] The launches of the new satellites were planned for 2024 and 2027 respectively, with the spacecraft being the first of the constellation not to be launched in pairs.[10]
GSSAP 7 and 8 have been successfully launched on the 12th of February 2026 by a ULA Vulcan VC4S.[11] There was a possible leak from the SRB.[12]
Future
GSSAP 9 and 10 will follow in 2027.[13]
Reactions
The GSSAP satellites have a limit to the amount of maneuvering they can undertake, due to fuel supply limitations. In 2023 Aviation Week reported that Northrop Grumman had a contract to install hydrazine refueling valves in future satellites, to enable on-orbit refueling.[14]
Chinese astronomers track GSSAP satellite movements, enabling the prediction of their observations. Chinese satellites have been observed changing orbital trajectories to observe GSSAP satellites or to make observation by GSSAP satellites more difficult.[15]
Satellites
| Name | NSSDC ID | Launch date | Launcher |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSSAP 1, Hornet 1, USA 253 | 2022-174A | 23 July 2014
23:28 |
Delta IV 368 |
| GSSAP 2, Hornet 2, USA 254 | 2022-174B | ||
| GSSAP 3, Hornet 3, USA 270 | 2016-052A | 19 August 2016
04:52 |
Delta IV 375 |
| GSSAP 4, Hornet 4, USA 271 | 2016-052B | ||
| GSSAP 5, Hornet 5, USA 324 | 2022-006A | 21 January 2022
19:00 |
Atlas V AV-084 |
| GSSAP 6, Hornet 6, USA 325 | 2022-006B | ||
| GSSAP 7, Hornet 7, USSF 87 | 12 Feb 2026 | Vulcan Centaur VC4S | |
| GSSAP 8, Hornet 8, USSF 87 | |||
| GSSAP 9, Hornet 9 | 2027 | ||
| GSSAP 10, Hornet 10 |
