The test, which validated the satellite's strength and ability to sustain its launch weight of over 13,000 pounds, was conducted by a team of engineers from Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Newtown, Pa., and ATK, Corona, Calif. The successful test demonstrated with high confidence that the structure can carry the physical loads it will experience during the satellite's manufacturing, launch and operation in geosynchronous orbit.

MUOS satellites will be the largest of Lockheed Martin's flight-proven A2100 spacecraft series. The first MUOS satellite along with the associated ground system are scheduled for on-orbit hand over to the Navy in 2010.

"Successful completion of this critical test is testimony to the team's commitment to successful, on-schedule program execution for our customer," said Paul Scearce, Lockheed Martin's vice president and MUOS program manager. "MUOS spacecraft will deliver significantly improved connectivity and we look forward to providing this new capability to the mobile warfighter."

The team is now preparing to deliver the spacecraft core structure to Lockheed Martin's Mississippi Space and Technology Center at the John C. Stennis Space Center, while the panels and other components will be shipped to the company's facilities in Newtown for the start of payload integration. The MUOS core propulsion structure and the integrated payload module are scheduled for delivery to Sunnyvale later this year for the start of final assembly, integration and test.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., prime contractor and systems engineering lead for the MUOS program, is under contract to design, build and deploy the first two MUOS satellites and the associated MUOS ground system. The Navy's Program Executive Office for Space Systems, Chantilly, Va., and its Communications Satellite Program Office, San Diego, Calif., are responsible for the MUOS program. The contract also provides for options on three additional spacecraft. With all options exercised, the contract for up to five satellites has a total potential value of $3.26 billion.

The Lockheed Martin MUOS team, which includes General Dynamics C4 Systems, Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Boeing Satellite Systems, El Segundo, Calif.; has been given the green light by the U.S. Navy and the DoD to proceed with follow-on MUOS spacecraft.

MUOS will provide significantly improved and assured communications for U.S. mobile warfighters. The Lockheed Martin design features state-of-the art third generation (3G) mobile technology that will deliver simultaneous voice and data services, as well as the ability to increase capacity and features over the life of the program.

Users of the current Ultra High Frequency Follow-On system will have improved service and complete interoperability with the MUOS legacy payload which ensures a smooth transition to the next generation of 3G mobile user equipment.

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