How Obscure Satellites Detected an Iranian Missile Attack and Saved American Lives
When the Space-Based Infrared System spotted ballistic missiles, U.S. troops had time to take cover.
By Kyle Mizokami
Sep 16, 2020
A U.S. system designed to warn of enemy missile attacks successfully detected an Iranian missile attack in January.
The early warning gave American troops at their Iraqi base time to take cover.
U.S. Air Force personnel in Colorado detected and monitored the attack on the ground.
The U.S. Air Force is crediting an obscure, but important constellation of military satellites with saving American lives. The Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) detected the launch of up to a dozen Iranian ballistic missiles in January—information that was passed to U.S. troops at the targeted Iraqi air base. While the attack injured more than 100 American servicemen and women, it didn't lead to any deaths or serious injuries.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a34030860/space-satellites-detected-iran-missile-attack-us-troops/
