U.S. Space Force Retires Final DSP Missile-Warning Satellites After 50 Years of Service
The U.S. Space Force has officially retired the final two satellites from its Defense Support Program (DSP), concluding over 50 years of service for a critical missile-warning system. These satellites were initially developed during the Cold War to detect Soviet ballistic missile launches. Over time, their mission expanded to include tracking missile launches globally, such as Iraqi Scud launches during Operation Desert Storm, and even assisting in identifying wildfires and volcanic eruptions. Colonel Brandon Davenport, commander of Mission Delta 4, highlighted DSP's role as a cornerstone of the U.S. early-warning architecture, contributing to Cold War deterrence and protecting American service members. The DSP program began in 1970, replacing the earlier MIDAS system, with the last DSP satellite launched in 2007. The retired satellites operated in geosynchronous orbit, utilizing infrared sensors to detect the heat signatures of ballistic missile launches. Their missions are now being transitioned to the S...
