Aerojet ElectroSystems built this Series III infrared sensor payload for use in Missile Defense Alarm System (MIDAS) satellites. These satellites were one part of a U.S. Air Force program operational in the 1960s to provide early warning of a Soviet missile attack. The Series III was designed to detect and track the hot exhaust gases of missiles at launch and during the boost phase. Created by Mark Avino Date Created 05/01/2019 Source Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Keywords Engineers; Military; Missiles; Reconaissance; Robots; Solar System; Space; Spacecraft Rights and Restrictions Usage conditions apply
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