Wednesday’s planned launch of an Air Force communications satellite will be United Launch Alliance’s 36th launch since the Centennial-based company was formed 36 months ago.
A Delta IV is lined up to carry aloft a wideband global SATCOM-3, or WGS, satellite from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
This is third WGS satellite United Launch Alliance will launch for the Air Force. The other WGS satellites were launched on Atlas Vs in October 2007 and April 2009.
The WGS program is the first Air Force program to launch on both rockets.
WGS is considered an important part of a new high-capacity satellite communications system providing enhanced communications capabilities for U.S. troops in the field for the next decade and beyond.
United Launch Alliance was formed Dec. 1, 2006, as a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and The Boeing Co., which have Colorado facilities.
Both companies had considerable launch experience — Lockheed with Atlas and Boeing with Delta.
Ann Schrader: 303-954-1967 or aschrader@denverpost.com
