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USAF Launches First Of Next Gen Communications Satellites
Cape Canaveral FL (SPX) Oct 12, 2007 The U.S. Air Force launched the first of a next generation of military communications satellites from here Oct. 10 at 8:22 p.m. (EDT), when a United Launch Alliance Atlas V booster carried a Wideband Global SATCOM satellite into space. WGS is the nation's next-generation wideband satellite communications system. The Oct. 10 launch begins the process of augmenting and eventually replacing the aging Defense Satellite Communications System which has been the Department of Defense's backbone for satellite communications for the last two decades. "I'm extremely pleased with (the) successful launch and the superb performance of the entire team that made it happen," said Col. Donald Robbins, commander of the Wideband SATCOM Group, MILSATCOM Systems Wing. "This launch campaign presented unique challenges that were overcome with a lot of hard work, attention to detail and a tremendous team effort between our WGS customer, the Boeing Company, the 45th Space Wing, the Aerospace Corporation, and the Launch and Range Systems Wing. I am very proud of the team and its achievement." Once the satellite becomes operational, it will be the DoD's highest capacity communications satellite and provide critical effects for U.S. and allied warfighters. "This mission proves that control of the battlefield really does begin here," said Brig. Gen. Susan Helms, 45th Space Wing commander. "Congratulations to the entire government/industry launch team." This mission also marked the 11th flight of an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral AFS, and extends the string of consecutive successful operational launches to 52 for Air Force Space Command. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Read the latest in Military Space Communications Technology at SpaceWar.com
Australia To Join With United States In Defence Global Satellite Communications Capability
Canberra, Australia (SPX) Oct 09, 2007The Australian Government will enter into a $927 million partnership with the United States to access a world-leading communications capability provided by the new Wideband Global Satellite Communications (WGS) constellation. Under our partnership arrangement, Australia will fund one satellite plus associated ground infrastructure to extend the constellation to six satellites and the US will fund the remaining five. |
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