Lompoc, CA, United States (AHN) – A satellite aimed at detecting and tracking space debris and other satellites that may hit NASA’s International Space Station was successfully launched Saturday night in California.

The Space Based Surveillance Satellite (SBSS) rode into low earth orbit from Vandenberg Air Force Base atop a Minotaur IV rocket at 9:41 p.m. PDT.

The satellite will coordinate with ground based sensors to detect and track orbital space debris and satellites. The information will be used by NASA’s International Space Station to steer away from their path.

The rocket was manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corp. Minotaur IV’s next mission will be the launching of seven small development satellites with 16 experimental payloads into orbit from the Alaska Spaceport launch complex in Kodiak, AK. It will be a research and development mission.

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