Data from the scanner also contributes to theater and intelligence missions. The scanning sensor continuously scans the earth to provide 24/7 global strategic missile warning capability. The infrared payload consists of two sensors a scanner and a step-starer. The spacecraft bus consists of a militarized, radiation-hardened spacecraft, providing power, attitude control, command and control and a communications subsystem. These enhanced capabilities result in improved prediction accuracy for global, strategic and tactical warfighters. SBIRS sensors are designed to provide greater flexibility and sensitivity than the DSP infrared sensor, allowing SBIRS to perform a broader set of missions. The SBIRS ground system consolidates the legacy DSP, HEO and GEO ground systems from three locations into one primary and one backup ground station. The SBIRS Mission Control Station (MCS), located at Buckley SFB, manages the constellation of HEO sensors, GEO satellites and the legacy DSP satellites. The program consists of the space segment of Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites, Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) sensors riding on host satellites, legacy DSP satellites and the associated world-wide deployed ground systems. The Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) program is the follow-on capability to DSP and was designed to provide a seamless operational transition from DSP to SBIRS and meet jointly-defined requirements of the defense and intelligence communities in support of the missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness and technical intelligence mission areas. In 1995, technological advancements were made to ground processing systems enhancing detection capability of smaller missiles to provide improved warning of attack by short-range missiles against U.S.

DSP satellites use an infrared sensor to detect heat from missile and booster plumes against the Earth's background.

In their 22,300-mile, geosynchronous orbits, DSP satellites protect the United States and its allies by detecting missile launches, space launches and nuclear detonations. The Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites are a key part of North America's early warning systems. The 2 SWS operates two satellite constellations. The mission of the 2 SWS is to defend and deliver trusted, persistent space-based global missile warning and battlespace awareness in support of U.S. The 2d Space Warning Squadron (2 SWS) is a United States Air Force missile warning squadron, located at Buckley SpaceВ Force Base, Colorado.

Endless space 2 squadron