NFIRE Satellite & MOCs

The Near Field Infrared Experiment (NFIRE) is the key component of our Kinetic Energy Boost Phase research program which began with a study and mission system engineering of approaches for boost phase intercept of ICBMs. Sponsored by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), NFIRE is demonstrating kinetic energy missile intercept technology, and is gathering near-field high-resolution phenomenology data that will assist in the development of future ICBM boost phase intercept systems. In addition, NFIRE demonstrated laser communications between satellites in cooperation with the German TerraSAR-X satellite.

Launched on April 24, 2007, NFIRE is composed of a low-Earth orbiting satellite with an onboard Track Sensor Payload and TESAT Spacecomm Laser Communication Terminal, plus two ground-based Mission Operations Centers (MOCs). General Dynamics was the system integrator, and was also responsible for design and manufacture of the spacecraft, payload integration, system EMI/EMC and environmental testing, configuration of the MOCs, and a year of on-orbit operations support.