The Huffington Post/AP - 09.22.2010
The Space-Based Space Surveillance satellite was scheduled to launch on July 8, but it was grounded by concerns about software in the Minotaur IV rocket and a problem in the rocket's electronics.
Officials said there were no problems in the satellite itself.
It's designed to give the Air Force its first full-time, space-based surveillance of satellites and debris in Earth's orbit. It monitors them for possible collisions.
Launch will be at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. A command center at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., will oversee day-to-day operations once in orbit.
As renderings of orbital debris show, the Space-Based Space Surveillance satellite has its work cut out for it.An early 'green' concern of mine was about the debris we humans leave in space.
What colossal arrogance!
So on a somber (with wee pinch of science geekery) note I share this event announcement with you.
When I began to see renderings of what this space flotsam might look like (as in these renderings) I was horrified and fascinated Now, they're sending up a monitoring satellite and we will get to see what exactly is up there. For better or worse.
