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USA-241

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Full article adapted from Wikipedia revision 1345162541 by Wikipedia contributors. Text is available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting has been adapted; article text and references are retained. Snapshot imported 2026-09-25.
United States military satellite
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USA-241
SBIRS GEO-2 satellite in orbit
NamesSBIRS GEO-2 (SV-2)
Space-Based Infrared System GEOstationary-2[1]
Mission typeInfrared early warning
IRINT
OperatorUnited States Air Force / United States Space Force
COSPAR ID2013-011A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.39120
Websitehttps://www.spaceforce.mil/
Mission duration12 years (planned)
13 years, 6 months and 6 days (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSBIRS GEO-2
Spacecraft typeSBIRS GEO
BusA2100M
ManufacturerLockheed Martin Space
Launch mass4,500 kg (9,900 lb)
Dimensions15 m x 6.7 m x 6.1 m
Start of mission
Launch date19 March 2013, 21:21:00 UTC[2]
RocketAtlas V 401 (AV-037)
Launch siteCape Canaveral, SLC-41
ContractorUnited Launch Alliance
Entered serviceOctober 2013
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
← USA-230 (SBIRS GEO-1)
USA-273 (SBIRS GEO-3) →

USA-241, also known as SBIRS GEO-2,[1] is a United States military satellite and part of the Space-Based Infrared System.

Overview

The SBIRS satellites are a replacement for the Defense Support Program early warning system. They are intended to detect ballistic missile launches, as well as various other events in the infrared spectrum, including nuclear explosions, aircraft flights, space object entries and reentries, wildfires and spacecraft launches.

Satellite description

SBIRS-GEO 2 was manufactured by Lockheed Martin Space and is built upon the A2100M satellite bus.

Launch

SBIRS GEO-2 was launched on 19 March 2013 from Cape Canaveral, atop an Atlas V launch vehicle.

Mission

In October 2013, the satellite was incorporated into the United States early warning network.[3]

References