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MIDAS Series III Infrared Sensor
Aerojet ElectroSystems built the Series III for use in MIDAS (Missile Defense Alarm System) satellites, part of a U.S. Air Force program beginning in the late 1950's to provide early warning of a Soviet missile attack. As with other infrared sensors developed for MIDAS, the Series III was designed to detect and track the heat exhaust gases of missiles at launch and during the boost phase. This data would be relayed to ground stations to give up to a 30-minute warning of an attack.
Placed in orbit by an Atlas-Agena rocket, a Series III in May 1963 became the first space-based sensor to successfully detect a missile launch. MIDAS was cancelled in the late 1960's, and the more advanced Defense Support Program early warning satellites were launched beginning in 1970. |