The spiral development approach for STSS includes space-based experiments and demonstrations to answer technical questions and suggest further improvements in system design.
One such experiment is NFIRE (Near-Field Infrared Experiment), launched in April 2007. NFIRE is a low Earth orbiting satellite that can provide multispectral imagery of potential target types. Its filter passbands are similar to those on the STSS demonstrator track sensor. Specifically designed for close viewing of rocket plumes, it can also provide useful phenomenology during its time on orbit. NFIRE will serve as a pathfinder in the development of STSS operations procedures.
Aerospace was involved in mission assurance for launch from 2004, some two years after NFIRE program inception, and provided a final launch risk assessment to the Air Force program office in 2007. Aerospace provided increased rigor and adherence to a standard satellite test program. Discipline in integration and testing screened out defects, workmanship issues, and marginal designs.
Aerospace was instrumental in adding a laser communications terminal to NFIRE to accomplish a joint German-U.S. missile-defense collaboration. In addition, Aerospace developed methods for successful focus and calibration of the tracking sensor payload and assisted with a cryocooler failure recovery. On-orbit experiments to date have provided infrared target-phenomenology data and laser communications performance data, which will be used as input to the STSS concept design process.