The Precision Tracking Space System (PTSS) is, according to recent testimony by Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Director Lt. General Patrick O’Reilly, “the greatest potential future enhancement for both homeland and regional defense in the next ten years.”[1] PTSS is a system of satellites intended to track ballistic missiles using an infrared telescope with sufficient accuracy to be able to guide interceptors. The PTSS program was formally initiated last year as a replacement for the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) which was the latest in a long line of proposed space-based missile tracking systems dating back to at least the late 1980s. Two STSS “demonstration” satellites were launched in 2009, and the MDA recently noted that they had reached their 1,000th day in orbit and were still operational.[2]

PTSS Satellite (image from MDA factsheet)[3]
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Posted by mostlymissiledefense on July 17, 2012
https://mostlymissiledefense.com/2012/07/17/missile-defense-can-the-precision-space-tracking-system-discriminate-july-17-2012/