* Astronomy

Newly launched Boeing satellite successfully transmitting
Boeing Co. said it acquired the first on-orbit signals from a U.S. Air Force satellite launched on Saturday.

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Boeing has acquired the first on-orbit signals from the third of six Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellites. The signals indicate that the spacecraft is healthy and ready to begin orbital manoeuvres and operational testing. WGS is the latest U.S. Department of Defence satellite communications system.
A United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket launched the WGS-3 satellite at 8:47 p.m. Eastern time on Dec. 5 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. A ground station in Dongara, Australia, received the satellite's first signals 58 minutes later at 9:45 p.m. Eastern time. Boeing's Mission Control Centre in El Segundo, California, confirmed that the satellite is functioning normally.

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The U.S. Air Force successfully launched a new-generation military communications satellite from here today at 8:47 p.m. (EST), when a Delta IV rocket carried a Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) into space.
WGS satellites are designed to provide high-capacity communications to U.S. military forces. They will augment and eventually replace the Defence Satellite Communication System that has been the Department of Defence's backbone for satellite communications over the last two decades

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The Wideband Global SATCOM 3 satellite will be stationed at the 12 degrees West orbital slot.