Missile Phenomenology Data Collection Satellite

Sponsored by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), NFIRE will gather near field, high resolution phenomenology data that will assist in development of boost phase intercept systems. NFIRE will also assess the viability of a laser communications system for missile defense applications.

NFIRE is composed of a low-Earth orbiting satellite with an onboard Track Sensor Payload (TSP) and TESAT Laser Communication Terminal (LCT), plus two ground-based Mission Operations Centers (MOCs). General Dynamics is the system integrator, and is also responsible for design and manufacture of the spacecraft bus, environmental testing, payload integration, configuration of the MOCs, and a year of on-orbit operations support. General Dynamics also leads the Mission Assurance and Systems Engineering Integrated Product Teams (MAIPT and SEIPT).