Air Force launches space surveillance satellites | C4ISR

Two Air Force space surveillance satellites were successfully launched on Friday.

The third and fourth satellites in the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) were lofted aboard a Delta IV rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The satellites, built by Orbital ATK, "will operate in near-geosynchronous orbit and collect Space Situational Awareness (SSA) data for more accurate tracking and characterization of man-made objects in Earth orbit," according to a company announcement. "The goal of the program is to enhance the country’s knowledge of the geosynchronous orbit environment for more timely and accurate orbit predictions to improve space flight safety."

The first two GSSAP satellites were launched July 28, 2014.