New US military satellite launched into space

May 8, 2011

A new military satellite has been launched into space.

An unmanned Atlas 5 rocket lifted off into a cloudless sky Saturday afternoon from . It carried the Space-Based Infrared System geosynchronous satellite.

The spacecraft will provide missile warning, missile defense, battlefield reconnaissance and technical intelligence for the United States and its allies.

The space infrared network includes four satellites that orbit the Earth at the same speed as the planet rotates 22,000 miles above the ground. More satellites will be added.

Friday's launch attempt was foiled by .

©2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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random
May 08, 2011

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Please define "technical intelligence."
jjoensuu
May 09, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (2)
Technical intelligence is maybe intelligence about other countries technical capabilities.
Cal_Sailor
May 09, 2011

Rank: 3 / 5 (2)
Missile launches? Be for real. They just want to find all the grow houses.
Why do I feel uncomfortable thinking they will use it to spy more on our own citizens?
(Geez, when did I start sounding like the foil hat crowd?)
Rank 4.2 /5 (5 votes)
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