. Military Space News .




.
MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
United Launch Alliance Atlas V Launches Mobile User Objective System-1 Mission
by Staff Writers
Cape Canaveral AFS GL (SPX) Feb 24, 2012

New Military Communications Satellite Built By Lockheed Martin Launched Successfully
Cape Canaveral AFS FL (SPX) Feb 27, 2012 The first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite, built by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Navy, was successfully launched Friday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

The MUOS constellation will replace the legacy Ultra High Frequency Follow-On (UFO) system and provide significantly improved assured communications, including simultaneous voice, video and data, for mobile warfighters.

"MUOS is a revolutionary new satellite system that will provide unprecedented new communications capabilities for the armed forces," said Kevin Bilger, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of Global Communications Systems.

"We look forward to executing a smooth and efficient on-orbit checkout, paving the way for operational use."

MUOS satellites feature a wideband code division multiple access payload that incorporates advanced technology to provide a 16-fold increase in transmission throughput over the current UFO satellite system.

A single MUOS satellite will provide four times the capacity of the entire legacy UFO constellation of 10 satellites.

The satellites also include a hosted legacy UHF payload that will be fully compatible with the current UFO system and legacy terminals.

The first MUOS satellite and associated ground system will provide initial on-orbit capability this year with the four-satellite global constellation achieving full operational capability in 2015, extending UHF narrowband communications availability well past 2025.


A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Mobile User Objective System-1 (MUOS-1) for the United States Navy lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 here at 5:15 p.m. EST Friday.

This was ULA's 2nd launch of an aggressive 11 mission schedule for the year and at nearly 15,000 pounds, MUOS-1 marks the heaviest satellite launched to date by an Atlas launch vehicle.

"ULA is honored to serve with our mission partners in the preparation and launch of this important mission for the U.S. Navy and for our U.S. Air Force customer," said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Mission Operations.

"This integrated team is singularly focused on ensuring that these critical MUOS satellites are safely delivered, providing vital communications capability to the women and men protecting our freedom around the world."

Sen. John Glenn, who attended the first launch attempt for MUOS-1 at ULA's Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center, reflected on his flight aboard an Atlas vehicle in 1962.

"The program has come a long way since 50 years ago when I launched on an Atlas launch vehicle," said Glenn. "I'm just glad the latest version is still doing such important work for our nation."

This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) 551 configuration vehicle, which includes a 5.4-meter diameter RUAG Space payload fairing along with five Aerojet solid rocket motors attached to the Atlas booster.

The Atlas booster for this mission was powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine and the Centaur upper stage was powered by a single Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne RL10A engine.

"The 200th flight of the Centaur is a very big milestone for the ULA team, as Centaur has been pioneering space launch for the last 50 years," said Sponnick.

"It took 33 years for Centaur to accomplish those first 100 flights. The next 100 Centaur launches have been accomplished in just 17 years."

The first Centaur launches in the early 1960's demonstrated the extremely high performance that can be achieved with a liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen rocket stage. The technologies developed and verified were subsequently used for the Saturn I, Saturn V, Space Shuttle, Titan, and Delta programs.

MUOS is a next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system designed to significantly improve ground communications for U.S. forces on the move.

MUOS will provide military users 10 times more communications capability over existing systems, including simultaneous voice, video and data, leveraging 3G mobile communications technology.

Developed by the United States Air Force to assure access to space for Department of Defense and other government payloads, the EELV Program supports the full range of government mission requirements, while delivering on schedule and providing significant cost savings over the heritage launch systems.

ULA's next launch is the Delta IV NROL-25 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office scheduled in March 29 from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

ULA program management, engineering, test, and mission support functions are headquartered in Denver, Colo. Manufacturing, assembly and integration operations are located at Decatur, Ala., and Harlingen, Texas. Launch operations are located at Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., and Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

Related Links
United Launch Alliance
Aerojet
Read the latest in Military Space Communications Technology at SpaceWar.com




.
.
Get Our Free Newsletters Via Email
...
Buy Advertising Editorial Enquiries




45th Space Wing Supports Successful Atlas V MUOS-1 Launch
Cape Canaveral AFS FL (SPX) Feb 27, 2012 The 45th Space Wing supported the launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the first satellite of the U.S. Navy's Mobile User Objective System.

The Atlas V MUOS-1 was launched at 5:15 p.m. EST, from Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 41.

The MUOS is a narrowband Military Satellite Communications system that supports a worldwide network of joint mobile and fixed-site terminal users in the Ultra High Frequency band. The system is comprised of a constellation of four operational geosynchronous satellites, one on-orbit spare satellite, and a ground control and network management system.

"The new MUOS constellation will bring a robust 'communications on the move' capability to the mobile warfighter," said Brig. Gen. Anthony Cotton, 45th Space Wing commander. "The entire government and contractor team worked together flawlessly to make this launch a success."

The MUOS will provide greater than 10 times the system capacity of the U.S. Navy's current UHF Follow-On constellation.

This is the second launch on the Eastern Range this year, with ten more launches scheduled.

"The 45th Space Wing and Eastern Range continue to be busy with these important launches, and we are proud of this vital role in our nation's defense."

Aerojet Propulsion Propels Atlas V Launch Vehicle and Delivers MUOS Satellite to Orbit
Sacramento, CA (SPX) Feb 27, 2012 Aerojet provided its solid rocket boosters to the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V launch vehicle for the inaugural launch of the U.S. Navy's five-satellite Mobile User Object System (MUOS). Five Aerojet AJ60 Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) ignited at lift-off, increasing the launch thrust of ULA's Atlas V rocket by more than 1.9 million pounds.

All Atlas V launches requiring extra boost performance have flown Aerojet-produced SRBs. These motors have demonstrated a 100 percent success record in flight, having flown 15 missions over the past 10 years with vehicle configurations ranging from one to five SRBs.

Eight Aerojet retro rockets also assisted with the Atlas Centaur separation from the launch vehicle approximately 4.5 minutes into flight.

In addition, 12 Aerojet monopropellant (hydrazine) thrusters on the Atlas V Centaur upper stage provided roll, pitch and yaw control as well as settling burns for the upper stage main engine.

Once separated from the launch vehicle, MUOS will use 12 0.2 lbf and six 5 lbf Aerojet thrusters for in-flight maneuvers and final de-orbit.

"Aerojet propulsion is trusted to not only assist with launching such a critical satellite, but also to delivering it to its final orbital destination," said Aerojet Vice President of Space and Launch Systems, Julie Van Kleeck.

"Helping ensure the success of the launch and a payload that supports the safety and helps promote the success of our nation's warfighters is an inspiration for the entire team."



.

. Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle



MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Longbow Delivers First Production Block III Apache Data Link System to US Army
Orlando FL (SPX) Feb 24, 2012
LONGBOW, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, recently delivered the first production Unmanned Aerial Systems Tactical Common Data Link Assembly (UTA) to the U.S. Army for the Apache Block III helicopter. "The delivery of the first Apache Block III UAS [Unmanned Aircraft Systems] control system, called the UTA, marks the next major capability advancement for the Ap ... read more


MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Israel deploys Iron Dome ABM battery

Tel Aviv to get missile interceptor system: army

India says missile shield test a success

Israel conducts 'final test' on Arrow anti-missile system

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Raytheon Completes First Test of JSOW-ER Warhead

US Army Fires Raytheon Griffin Missile During Forward Operating Base Protection Test

Raytheon Engages Malaysian Industry for Missile Work

Third MEADS Battle Manager Arrives In Huntsville for Integration Testing

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Northrop Grumman BAMS Unmanned Aircraft System Program Achieves Two Major Milestones

Innocon has received an order for its MiniFalcon II Tactical UAV

Pakistan tribesmen protest US drone strikes

Anglo-French UAV cooperation progresses

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
United Launch Alliance Atlas V Launches Mobile User Objective System-1 Mission

Longbow Delivers First Production Block III Apache Data Link System to US Army

Cambridge Consultants unveils ModStar radio architecture for military communications

General Dynamics Demonstrates First MUOS-based Communications on JTRS HMS Radio

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Israel plans for second F-35 squadron

Boeing B-1 Bomber Completes 10,000th Combat Mission

Boeing and USAF Mark Delivery of First Re-winged A-10 Thunderbolt II

Lockheed Martin's Fighting Falcon Evolves With New F-16V

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Japan PM visits Okinawa over US military base move

US judge transfers Viktor Bout from solitary cell

Turkey plans to buy 100 US F-35 fighters: report

India eyes more Kazan Mi-17 V5 helicopters

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
Beijing cautions India over border issues

Chinese netizens flood Obama's Google+ page

China's Xi pleases crowd, gives little away on tour

India-US relations not aimed at China: Antony

MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS
New study may lead to MRIs on a nanoscale

Metal nanoparticles shine with customizable color

Light-emitting nanocrystal diodes go ultraviolet

Coaxing gold into nanowires


Memory Foam Mattress Review

Newsletters :: SpaceDaily Express :: SpaceWar Express :: TerraDaily Express :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News

.

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2012 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement