Sep. 25, 2009 (United Press International) -- A rocket carrying two experimental satellites to track enemy missiles was launched Friday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., NASA officials said.

The experimental satellites were aboard a missile defense payload on a Delta II rocket, NASA said on its Web site.

The $1.5 billion Space Tracking and Surveillance System Demonstrator is designed to spot incoming missiles early in flight and signal interceptors to destroy them.

The satellites have power-generating solar wings and are equipped with infrared and visible sensors to spot missile launches and track attacks, NASA said.

The satellites, built by Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) and Raytheon (NYSE:RTN) , are to circle the Earth within the Ballistic Missile Defense System.

The U.S. government had considered deploying large numbers of similar missile-tracking satellites, but funding cutbacks have limited that plan to the two satellites launched Friday, The Orlando Sentinel reported.