View source for Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program

{{Short description|American military space surveillance program}}
[[File:Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program.jpg|thumb|GSSAP artist rendering]]
'''Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program''' ('''GSSAP''') or '''Hornet''' is a class of United States [[spy satellite]]s.

==Missions==
===AFSPC-4 (GSSAP-1 & 2)===
[[File:'Team Patrick-Cape' launches GSSAP mission (2000829480).jpg|thumb|[[Delta IV]] 368 launches GSSAP 1 and 2 from [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|Cape Canaveral Air Force Station]] on 2014]]
The first two GSSAP spacecraft, '''GSSAP 1 (USA-253)''' and '''GSSAP 2 (USA-254)''' were launched in 2014. They were built by [[Orbital Sciences Corporation]]; their capabilities and development and construction budgets are classified. They operate in "near-geosynchronous orbit",<ref>Neighborhood watch in space, Aviation Week and Space Technology, 4 August 2014, p.12</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:343a4a5d-47a2-467f-aae1-8fe5d25a485d|title=USAF Reveals Classified, New Spy Satellite|last1=Butler|first1=Amy|date=21 February 2014|publisher=Aviation Week & Sapce Technology|access-date=21 February 2014|archive-date=26 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226122559/http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:343a4a5d-47a2-467f-aae1-8fe5d25a485d|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first launch was scheduled for 23 July 2014 aboard a [[United Launch Alliance]] [[Delta IV]] [[launch vehicle]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stripes.com/air-force-launching-satellites-to-spy-on-other-satellites-1.294735|title=Air Force launching satellites to spy on other satellites|last1=Harper|first1=Jon|date=22 July 2014|website=stripes.com|publisher=Stars and Stripes|access-date=22 July 2014}}</ref> Even during the testing process these satellites were pressed into early service to fulfill critical needs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://spacenews.com/space-surveillance-sats-pressed-into-early-service/ |title=Space Surveillance Sats Pressed into Early Service|last1=Gruss|first1=Mike|date=18 September 2015|website=spacenews.com|publisher=SpaceNews|access-date=18 September 2015}}</ref> In August 2023 the [[Space Systems Command]] announced the retirement of the GSSAP-2 satellite, the first of the constellation to be decommissioned, and its subsequent transfer into a graveyard orbit. 
===AFSPC-6 (GSSAP-3 & 4)===
[[File:AFSPC6 by United Launch Alliance (28464816573).jpg|thumb|Liftoff of GSSAP 3 and 4 on 19 August 2016 atop Delta IV 375 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station]]
'''GSSAP 3 (USA-270)''' and '''4 (USA-271)''' satellites were launched on 19 August 2016. On 12 September 2017, both were declared operational.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.afspc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1310272/two-new-satellites-now-operational-expand-us-space-situational-awareness/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915184050/http://www.afspc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1310272/two-new-satellites-now-operational-expand-us-space-situational-awareness/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 15, 2017|title=Two new satellites now operational, expand U.S. space situational awareness|last1=Espinosa|first1=Shellie-Anne|date=13 September 2017|website=afspc.af.mil|publisher=Air Force Space Command Public Affairs|access-date=15 September 2017}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> USA-270 approached two Chinese satellites in GEO to examine them more closely.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Werner |first=Debra |date=2022-06-16 |title=An In-Orbit Game of Cat and Mouse: Close approaches prompt calls for communications and norms |url=https://spacenews.com/an-in-orbit-game-of-cat-and-mouse-close-approaches-prompt-calls-for-communications-and-norms/ |website=SpaceNews}}</ref> In 2023, Chinese researchers reported having observed 13 other instances where US satellites approached Chinese ones.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tamim |first=Baba |date=2023-05-07 |title=US conducted 14 spy missions on China’s satellites in 2 years, claims Chinese study |url=https://interestingengineering.com/culture/us-conducted-14-recon-missions-on-chinas-satellites |website=interestingengineering.com}}</ref>
===USSF-8 (GSSAP-5 & 6)===
[[File:Atlas V takeoff (7141539).jpeg|thumb|[[Atlas V]] AV-084 lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, 21 January 2022 with GSSAP-5 and GSSAP-6.]]Two more satellites ('''GSSAP-5''' and '''GSSAP-6''') have been successfully launched on 21 January 2022 by a [[Atlas V]] [[launch vehicle]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Graham |first=William |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/01/ussf-satellite-inspection/ |title=ULA's Atlas V launches satellite-inspection mission for Space Force |access-date=22 January 2022 |work=[[NASASpaceFlight]]|date=21 January 2022 }}</ref> 
===USSF-87 (GSSAP-7 & 8) and future===
In August 2023 the [[Space Systems Command]] revealed that two more satellites have been ordered to [[Northrop Grumman]] to keep up with the demand for GSSAP assets.<ref>{{cite web |last=Erwin |first=Sandra |url=https://spacenews.com/u-s-deorbits-gssap-surveillance-satellite-two-new-ones-in-the-works/ |title=U.S. deactivates GSSAP surveillance satellite, two new ones in the works |date=15 August 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref> The launches of the new satellites were planned for 2024 and 2027 respectively, with the spacecraft being the first of the constellation not to be launched in pairs.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hadley |first=Greg |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/space-force-deactivates-one-space-surveillance-satellite-sets-plans-for-two-more/ |title=Space Force Deactivates One Space Surveillance Satellite, Sets Plans for Two More |date=17 August 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023 |work=Air & Space Forces Magazine}}</ref>

'''GSSAP 7''' and '''8''' are scheduled to be launched together in 2025 by a [[Vulcan Centaur|Vulcan Centaur VC4S]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=GSSAP 1&comma; &period;&period;&period;&comma; 10 &lpar;Hornet 1&comma; &period;&period;&period;&comma; 10&rpar; |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/gssap-1.htm |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=Gunter's Space Page |language=en}}</ref><ref name="NSSL-FY21">{{cite web |title=FY21 NSS Missions |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/2530911/source/GovDelivery/ |access-date=6 January 2024 |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1805225034241237100 |user=GewoonLukas_ |title=The second one will be the USSF-87 mission, which will likely carry the 7th GSSAP satellite directly to Geosynchronous orbit. It currently looks like Vulcan will be flying in the VC2 configuration for this mission, although a VC4 has been previously reported.}}</ref> '''GSSAP 9''' and '''10''' will follow in 2027.<ref name=":0" />

==Reactions==
The GSSAP satellites have a limit to the amount of maneuvering they can undertake, due to fuel supply limitations. In 2023 ''[[Aviation Week ]]'' reported that Northrop Grumman had a contract to install hydrazine refueling valves in future satellites, to enable [[on-orbit refueling]].<ref name=avw-20230619>{{cite news |url=https://aviationweek.com/space/us-space-force-explains-limits-gssap-surveillance-satellites |title=U.S. Space Force Explains Limits Of GSSAP Surveillance Satellites |last=Reim |first=Garrett |magazine=Aviation Week |date=19 June 2023 |access-date=6 October 2025}}</ref>

Chinese astronomers track GSSAP satellite movements, enabling the prediction of their observations. [[Chinese satellite program|Chinese satellites]] have been observed changing orbital trajectories to observe GSSAP satellites or to make observation by GSSAP satellites more difficult.<ref name=sp-20240925>{{cite news |url=https://spaceproject.govexec.com/defense/2024/09/one-way-learn-about-us-spy-satellites-china/399810/ |title=One way to learn about U.S. spy satellites? China |last=Gruss |first=Mike |website=GovExec Space Project |date=25 September 2024 |access-date=6 October 2025}}</ref>

== Satellites ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Name
![[NSSDC ID]]
!Launch date
!Launcher
|-
|GSSAP 1, Hornet 1, USA 253
|2022-174A
| rowspan="2" |23 July 2014
23:28
| rowspan="2" |[[Delta IV]] 368
|-
|GSSAP 2, Hornet 2, USA 254
|2022-174B
|-
|GSSAP 3, Hornet 3, USA 270
|2016-052A
| rowspan="2" |19 August 2016
04:52
| rowspan="2" |Delta IV 375
|-
|GSSAP 4, Hornet 4, USA 271
|2016-052B
|-
|GSSAP 5, Hornet 5, USA 324
|2022-006A
| rowspan="2" |21 January 2022
19:00
| rowspan="2" |[[Atlas V]] AV-084
|-
|GSSAP 6, Hornet 6, USA 325
|2022-006B
|-
|''GSSAP 7, Hornet 7, USSF 87''
|
| rowspan="2" |''2025''
| rowspan="2" |[[Vulcan Centaur|''Vulcan Centaur VC4S'']]
|-
|''GSSAP 8, Hornet 8, USSF 87''
|
|-
|''GSSAP 9, Hornet 9''
|
| rowspan="2" |''2027''
| rowspan="2" |
|-
|''GSSAP 10, Hornet 10''
|
|}

==See also==
*[[Combined Force Space Component Command]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{US Reconnaissance Satellites}}
{{USAF space vehicles}}

[[Category:Reconnaissance satellites]]