* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft

Blobrana · L

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket successfully launched the Air Force's Wideband Global SATCOM satellite into orbit at 8:22 p.m., EDT, today. Blasting off from Space Launch Complex 41, it marked the third Atlas V EELV launch this year and eighth overall launch for ULA in 2007. This launch also comes just three weeks after the service celebrated its 60th anniversary and four months after the Atlas rocket's 50th anniversary of its first launch. The WGS system will significantly increase the communications capabilities for troops in the field.

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Blobrana · L

Boeing has releases a statement saying that they were already receiving signals from the new WGS satellite for the U.S. Air Force.
The company said it had "acquired signals from the first Wide-band Global SATCOM -- WGS -- satellite". The WGS is a new military spacecraft "that will help meet the growing demand for military satellite communications by providing a ten-fold increase in telecommunications capacity".

"The satellite -- the first of five that Boeing is building for the U.S. Air Force -- was successfully launched at 8:22 p.m. Eastern on Oct. 10 by a United Launch Alliance Atlas V vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, Florida. ... A ground station in Dongara, Australia, received the satellite's first signals ... at 9:09 p.m. Eastern. Boeing controllers in El Segundo, Calif., confirmed that the satellite is healthy" - Statement.

Blobrana · L

Nasa launches Atlas 5 Rocket Oct 11, 2007

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Blobrana · L

The Wideband Global SATCOM satellite is the first of at least five satellites scheduled to be placed in orbit by the end of 2008.
The satellite system will replace the current Defence Satellite Communications System that has been used for military communications for the last two decades.
This first satellite will cover the Pacific Zone, which includes Hawaii, Japan and Southeast Asia. Each spacecraft will cost $350 million.
The old system will be used in conjunction with the new Wideband Glogal SATCOM system until it is phased out in the next few years.

Source AP

Blobrana · L

Launch of WGS F1 on an Atlas V 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral

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Blobrana · L

Atlas 5 Rocket Launch 10-10-2007

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Blobrana · L

A rocket carrying a satellite used for communication by the U.S. Air Force lifted off Wednesday night.
The Atlas 5, which launched at 8:22 p.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, carried a Wideband Global SATCOM satellite into orbit. It is the first of at least five satellites that will be placed in orbit through 2008.
The system will replace the current Defence Satellite Communications System that has been used for military communications for the last two decades.

Source

Blobrana · L

An Atlas 5 rocket has launched on schedule the Wideband Global SATCOM military communications satellite for the US Defence Department.
Lift-off was at 00:22 GMT (8:22 p.m. EDT Wed.)

Blobrana · L

An Atlas 5 rocket launch is being delayed about a week to allow teams more time to replace a fuel valve that froze up during the failed launch of a similar rocket earlier this year.
The Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS F1) military communications satellite will be launched at 8:10 p.m. Sept. 21 from Launch Complex 41, said 45th Space Wing spokesperson Ken Warren. The launch was delayed from Sept. 13.
The last Atlas V launch from Cape Canaveral was June 15.

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