The Air Force and Lockheed Martin Astronautics launch team is set to launch a Titan IV/B carrying a Milstar satellite from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral this Friday. The April 30 launch window extends from 10:56am to 2:56pm EDT.
Milstar satellites provide a combination of capabilities unmatched by any other satellite communication system. These capabilities include worldwide, secure, survivable, and highly jam resistant communications; satellite-to-satellite communication; autonomous operation; the ability to reposition to meet theater requirements; and the ability to provide direct support to mobile forces.
As the Defense Department's most technologically advanced telecommunications system, Milstar, "switchboard-in-the sky" operational concept, is a departure from current satellite communication systems, and is considered revolutionary because the satellites handle all processing and traffic management chores without ground station relays, greatly enhancing data security and jam resistance.
Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space is now producing the next generation of Milstar Block II spacecraft that will ensure robust command and control for regional military deployments. Block II satellites feature medium data rate payloads and, when combined with the systems' existing low data rate payload, will measurably expand Milstar's utility during regional peacekeeping or combat missions. The first Block II satellite is expected to launch in 1999.
