Description : Kennedy Space Center post stamp and Early Warning satellite.
DSP F8 was part of the oldest segments of North America’s early warning system. These Defense Support System satellites were the space-based segment of a 2-tiered ballistic missile launch detection and warning system. Orbiting 23,000 mile above Earth, these satellites provided the first look at potentially hostile ballistic missiles launched from land or sea, anywhere in the world, in near-real time. For tactical missile warning, satellite data could be transmitted directly to the theater commander via the Tactical Event System. DSP sensors also detected nuclear detonations. The speed and accuracy have greatly reduced the potential for surprise attack and is vital to effective deterrance to war. The DSP sytem has one satellite watching the eastern hemisphere and two spacecraft watching the western hemisphere for missile launches. Since there was less time associated with a submarine launch from a Soviet boat at the US mainland, these was a great concern that this type of missile must be detected.


The satellite’s infrared sensors detected and tracked exhaust heat generated by balistic missiles. The data were then relayed almost instantaneously to USSPACECOM Missile Warning Center in the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. DSP satellites were used during the Persian Gulf War to detect Iraqi Scud missile launches.

USA 1284 - picture enhanced ?

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DSP F8 · aka USAF OS 79 (SATELLITE) · TITAN 3C