U.S. Navy Launches Third MUOS Mobile Communications Satellite

摘要

The U.S. Navy launched the third satellite in its next-generation mobile communications system Jan. 20, but service officials said the constellation's primary capability - to provide smart-phone-like services - would not be available until the end of the year. The multibillion-dollar Mobile User Objective System ultimately will consist of four geostationary-orbiting satellites plus one on-orbit spare, and four ground stations. Built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems of Sunnyvale, California, the MUOS constellation is designed to provide smartphone-like communications to mobile forces at rates 10 times faster than the legacy system. The MUOS-3 satellite was launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, at 8:04 p.m. Eastern time. The Atlas 5 configuration used in the launch featured a 5-meter payload fairing, five solid-fueled strap-on boosters and one RL-10 Centaur engine, the fifth time such a setup has been used.