USA-205, also known as Space Tracking and Surveillance System-Advanced Technology Risk Reduction (STSS-ATRR), and previously as Block 2010 Spacecraft Risk Reduction is a

satellite A satellite or artificial satellite is an object intentionally placed into orbit in outer space. Except for passive satellites, most satellites have an electricity generation system for equipment on board, such as solar panels or radioiso ...

formerly operated by the United States Missile Defense Agency. It was launched to demonstrate new technology for missile detection early warning systems (MDEWS). The technology demonstrated on STSS-ATRR was used in the development of the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) part of the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS). It was launched on a Delta II 7920-10C

launch vehicle A launch vehicle or carrier rocket is a rocket designed to carry a payload (spacecraft or satellites) from the Earth's surface to outer space. Most launch vehicles operate from a launch pads, supported by a launch control center and syste ...

from Space Launch Complex 2W (SLC-2W) at the

Vandenberg Air Force Base Vandenberg may refer to: * Vandenberg (surname), including a list of people with the name * USNS ''General Hoyt S. Vandenberg'' (T-AGM-10), transport ship in the United States Navy, sank as an artificial reef in Key West, Florida * Vandenberg Sp ...

(VAFB) in

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...

, at 20:24:25 UTC on 5 May 2009 into a

Sun-synchronous orbit A Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), also called a heliosynchronous orbit, is a nearly polar orbit around a planet, in which the satellite passes over any given point of the planet's surface at the same local mean solar time. More technically, it ...

(SSO). The launch was conducted by United Launch Alliance. Operational and administrative control of the Space Tracking and Surveillance System-Advanced Technology Risk Reduction (STSS-ATRR) satellite was transferred to Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), effective 31 January 2011. In addition to successfully demonstrating required on orbit system performance parameters for a prototype sensor technology, STSS-ATRR conducted Space Situational Awareness and related operations on an as-capable basis.

References

Spacecraft launched in 2009 Spacecraft launched by Delta II rockets USA satellites Early warning satellites {{US-spacecraft-stub