USA-241

USA-241, also known as SBIRS GEO-2,^[1] is a United States military satellite and part of the Space-Based Infrared System.

USA-241

SBIRS GEO-2 satellite in orbit
Names	SBIRS GEO-2 (SV-2) Space-Based Infrared System GEOstationary-2 [1]
Mission type	Infrared early warning IRINT
Operator	United States Air Force / United States Space Force
COSPAR ID	2013-011A
SATCAT no.	39120
Website	https://www.spaceforce.mil/
Mission duration	12 years (planned) 12 years, 4 months and 24 days (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	SBIRS GEO-2
Spacecraft type	SBIRS GEO
Bus	A2100M
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin Space
Launch mass	4,500 kg (9,900 lb)
Dimensions	15 m x 6.7 m x 6.1 m
Start of mission
Launch date	19 March 2013, 21:21:00 UTC[2]
Rocket	Atlas V 401 (AV-037)
Launch site	Cape Canaveral, SLC-41
Contractor	United Launch Alliance
Entered service	October 2013
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Geostationary orbit
Space-Based Infrared System program ← SBIRS GEO-1 SBIRS GEO-3 →

Overview

The SBIRS satellites are a replacement for the Defense Support Program early warning system. They are intended to detect ballistic missile launches, as well as various other events in the infrared spectrum, including nuclear explosions, aircraft flights, space object entries and reentries, wildfires and spacecraft launches.

Satellite description

SBIRS-GEO 2 was manufactured by Lockheed Martin Space and is built upon the A2100M satellite bus.

Launch

SBIRS GEO-2 was launched on 19 March 2013 from Cape Canaveral, atop an Atlas V launch vehicle.

Mission

In October 2013, the satellite was incorporated into the United States early warning network.^[3]