USA-336
Names listUSA-336
SBIRS-GEO 6
OperatorUnited States Air Force / United States Space Force
Cospar id2022-092A
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Launch mass4,500 kg (9,900 lb)[1]
Power2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
Launch dateAugust 4, 2022, 6:29 am EDT[2]
Launch rocketAtlas V 421 (AV-097)
Launch siteCape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
Launch contractorUnited Launch Alliance
Orbit regimeGeostationary
Orbit longitude138.92°[3]
Orbit altitude35,799 km (22,244 mi)[3]
Orbit period23 hours 56 minutes[3]
Orbit velocity3 km/s (1.9 mi/s)[3]
ProgrammeSBIRS-GEO Series
Previous missionUSA-315 (SBIRS-GEO 5)

USA-336, also known as SBIRS-GEO 6 (Space Based Infrared System - Geostationary 6), is a geostationary satellite operated by the United States Space Force (formerly operated by the United States Air Force). USA-336 forms part of the SBIRS High program. It is the last SBIRS Satellite to be launched and future mission will use new Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (NG-OPIR) Satellites.[1][4][5][6]

Overview

USA-336 is a three-axis stabilized satellite equipped with an Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) scanner.[7] USA-336 uses its OPIR scanner and long-range surveillance to provide early warning for Ballistic Missile launches.[1][4] It will replace older Defense Support Program satellites.[7]

References

  1. ^ Krebs, Gunter D. (2023), "SBIRS-GEO 5, 6", Gunter Space Page, retrieved January 15, 2024
  2. ^ "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Missile Warning Satellite for U.S. Space Force". United Launch Alliance. August 4, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  3. ^ "SBIRS GEO 6 (USA 336)", n2yo.com, 2022, retrieved January 15, 2024
  4. ^ Hodgman, James (2022), "SLD 45 to support SBIRS GEO Launch, Last Satellite for Infrared Constellation", United States Space Force, retrieved January 15, 2024
  5. ^ "Atlas V SBIRS GEO-6". www.ulalaunch.com. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  6. ^ "United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Missile Warning Satellite for U.S. Space Force". www.ulalaunch.com. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  7. ^ Williams, David R. (2022), "SBIRS-GEO 6", NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive, retrieved January 15, 2024